A bill (H.R. 1731) designed to increase criminal penalties for identity theft was signed into law (P.L. 108-275) by the President. The law creates the crime of aggravated identity theft for crimes that involve felonies, such as bank or mail fraud. This crime carries a sentence of two additional years in prison added to the felony conviction. Those who commit identity theft while also perpetrating a criminal act will be given an additional five years in prison.pl108_275_identitytheft1204.pdf