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Wisconsin Statutes Crimes (Ch. 938 to 951) § 943.203. Unauthorized use of an entity's identifying information or documents

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) In this section:

(a) “Entity” means a person other than an individual.

(b) “Identification document” means any of the following:

1. A document containing identifying information.

2. An entity's card or plate, if it can be used, alone or in conjunction with another access device, to obtain money, goods, services, or any other thing of value or benefit, or if it can be used to initiate a transfer of funds.

3. Any other device that is unique to, assigned to, or belongs to an entity and that is intended to be used to access services, funds, or benefits of any kind to which the entity is entitled.

(c) “Identifying information” means any of the following information:

1. An entity's name.

2. An entity's address.

3. An entity's telephone number.

4. An entity's employer identification number.

5. The identifying number of an entity's depository account, as defined in s. 815.18(2)(e).

6. Any of the following, if it can be used, alone or in conjunction with any access device, to obtain money, goods, services, or any other thing of value or benefit, or if it can be used to initiate a transfer of funds:

a. An entity's code or account number.

b. An entity's electronic serial number, mobile identification number, entity identification number, or other telecommunications service, equipment, or instrument identifier.

c. Any other means of account access.

7. Any other information or data that is unique to, assigned to, or belongs to an entity and that is intended to be used to access services, funds, or benefits of any kind to which the entity is entitled.

8. Any other information that can be associated with a particular entity through one or more identifiers or other information or circumstances.

(2) Whoever, for any of the following purposes, intentionally uses, attempts to use, or possesses with intent to use any identifying information or identification document of an entity without the authorization or consent of the entity and by representing that the person is the entity or is acting with the authorization or consent of the entity is guilty of a Class H felony:

(a) To obtain credit, money, goods, services, or anything else of value or benefit.

(b) To harm the reputation or property of the entity.

(3) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that the defendant was authorized by law to engage in the conduct that is the subject of the prosecution. A defendant who raises this affirmative defense has the burden of proving the defense by a preponderance of the evidence.

(4) If an entity reports to a law enforcement agency for the jurisdiction in which the entity is located that identifying information or an identification document belonging to the entity reasonably appears to be in the possession of another in violation of this section or that another has used or has attempted to use it in violation of this section, the agency shall prepare a report on the alleged violation. If the law enforcement agency concludes that it appears not to have jurisdiction to investigate the violation, it shall inform the entity which law enforcement agency may have jurisdiction. A copy of a report prepared under this subsection shall be furnished upon request to the entity that made the request, subject to payment of any reasonable fee for the copy.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Wisconsin Statutes Crimes (Ch. 938 to 951) § 943.203. Unauthorized use of an entity's identifying information or documents - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wi/crimes-ch-938-to-951/wi-st-943-203/

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