Ohio residents should be aware of phishing scams that attempt to draw highly sensitive financial information from victims through online fraud. Phishing scams are specifically outlawed by certain states, such as California, but there are no federal laws that specifically mention phishing. However, in 2004 and 2005, there were two failed attempts to draft federal legislation that would result in a five-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of involvement in a phishing scam. Among the various steps that can be taken to protect against these scams is understanding how to recognize phishing online.
Internet copyright infringement
Copyright law is a broad spectrum that includes certain material on the Internet. Generally, any original copyrighted work belongs to an owner who has the sole right to that work. Those who distribute, change or otherwise use a copyrighted work without permission might be infringing on a copyright. In Ohio and other states, one cannot circulate a copyrighted work on the Internet without authorization.
Ohio man faces bank fraud charges
A 49-year-old Ohio man was indicted on April 8 on charges of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The allegation is that the man used a straw buyer to get a mortgage loan and a line of credit in 2007.
The difference between infractions, misdemeanors and felonies
Individuals who are accused of crime might not know whether they are facing an infraction, misdemeanor or felony. In Ohio, the categorization of a crime is based on the seriousness of the action, the amount of jail time in the sentence and whether that time is served in county jail or state prison.
