Iowa criminal charge
Identity theft in Iowa
Identity theft is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 715A.8. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 715A.8.
What is the penalty for identity theft in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Identity theft (value exceeds $10,000) — The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit obtained through identity theft exceeds ten thousand dollars.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Identity theft (value exceeds $10,000) — The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit obtained through identity theft exceeds ten thousand dollars.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Identity theft ($1,500–$10,000) — The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars but does not exceed ten thousand dollars.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Identity theft ($1,500–$10,000) — The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars but does not exceed ten thousand dollars.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Identity theft (up to $1,500) — The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit does not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Identity theft (up to $1,500) — The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit does not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is identity theft classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity theft (value exceeds $10,000) | Class “C” Felony | The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit obtained through identity theft exceeds ten thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 715A.8(3)(a) |
| Identity theft ($1,500–$10,000) | Class “D” Felony | The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars but does not exceed ten thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 715A.8(3)(b) |
| Identity theft (up to $1,500) | Aggravated Misdemeanor | The value of the credit, property, services, or other benefit does not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars. | Iowa Code § 715A.8(3)(c) |
Common questions about identity theft in Iowa
Is identity theft a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: identity theft ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 715A.8.
Identity theft (value exceeds $10,000): Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 715A.8(3)(a)) · Identity theft ($1,500–$10,000): Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 715A.8(3)(b)) · Identity theft (up to $1,500): Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 715A.8(3)(c))
What are the penalties for identity theft in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers identity theft?
Identity theft is governed by Iowa Code § 715A.8 (Identity theft).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.