What the difference between identity theft and aggravated identity theft is.

Question

I know aggravated is knowingly stealing personal information to commit a crime, but is that not also identity theft?

In: Other

Answer 1

“aggravated” charges are the same underlying type of crime, but they were committed with additional factors that imply a much more serious nature.

In this case, being caught planning to commit a crime and using a stolen identity to implicate someone else for it could be such an aggravating factor

Edit: more specifically, us federal law defines a concrete definition: commission of a felony while possessing/using/transferring a stolen identity.

Answer 2

It’s the use of the identity that makes the difference. For the most part, fraud related crimes are regular identity theft while aggravated identity theft is the use of a stolen identity in the commission of international terroris. Specifically, section 2332b(g)(5)(B) of the US crimes code which lists out the specific offenses.