Protects individuals and businesses from those who knowingly impersonate an entity with the intent of facilitating fraud. This act would also protect individuals and businesses from digital forgery.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Impersonation and Identity Fraud Protections

This Rhode Island bill would strengthen existing criminal laws to better protect both individuals and businesses from fraud involving impersonation. Specifically, it targets people who knowingly pretend to be someone or something they are not — such as posing as a real person, company, or organization — with the deliberate goal of committing fraud or deceiving others for personal gain. The bill also addresses digital forgery, meaning the falsification or manipulation of electronic documents, images, or other digital materials to deceive victims.

The bill would affect a wide range of people. Everyday residents could gain stronger legal protections if someone impersonates them online or uses a fake digital identity to steal money or personal information. Businesses would also be protected if bad actors pose as their company to scam customers or partners. On the other side, anyone found to be knowingly impersonating others or creating fake digital materials to commit fraud could face criminal penalties under this law.

Currently, this bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. It was briefly postponed at the request of its sponsor in March 2026 and has since been scheduled for further committee review. It has not yet been voted on or signed into law. If passed, it would represent an update to Rhode Island's criminal code to better account for modern forms of fraud, particularly those carried out through digital means.