C.G.S. § 53a-130 — Criminal Impersonation

Plain-English overview: You can be charged with criminal impersonation if you pretend to be another person (or claim to act as a representative of a person or organization) and then take some action in that false role to obtain a benefit for yourself/another or to injure or defraud someone else. It’s the misdemeanor “identity-misuse” charge that often travels with larceny, forgery, and payment-card offenses.

To convict under § 53a-130, prosecutors generally must show:

1. You assumed a false identity or impersonated another person (or said you were a representative of a person/organization);
2. You then did an act in that assumed character; and
3. You acted with intent to obtain a benefit or intent to injure/defraud another.

Key point: Pretending alone isn’t enough—there must be an act tied to the false identity and intent.

Class A misdemeanor exposure: up to 364 days in jail, up to a $2,000 fine, and possible probation with conditions like restitution and no-contact orders.

• In-store “manager” refunds: posing as a store manager to push a refund or gift card to yourself.
• Pickup scams: pretending to be a coworker/customer to collect packages, wire transfers, or BOPIS orders.
• “I’m from corporate” access: claiming vendor/corporate status to reach back rooms, registers, or devices.
• Customer-service plays: claiming to be the account holder to unlock a SIM, obtain credits, or change shipping.

Common companion charges: Larceny (by value), Forgery, Identity Theft (various degrees), Credit Card Crimes (§ 53a-128d), Conspiracy, and Attempt. (Badge/uniform cases may trigger Impersonation of a Police Officer, § 53a-130a, a separate offense.)

• No intent to benefit/defraud: jokes, misunderstandings, or role confusion without a plan to gain or harm.
• No “act” in the false role: mere posing is not enough—challenge whether any qualifying act occurred.
• Consent/authorization: Power of Attorney, employer delegation, or other written authority.
• Mistaken identity / weak proof: poor video, unreliable witnesses, gaps in logs or device forensics.
• Suppression: unlawful stops, overbroad phone searches, or defective warrants can exclude key evidence.

A customer puts on a lanyard, claims to be a manager, and issues a $380 “cash refund” to himself. Acting in a false role to gain a benefit → Criminal Impersonation, plus Larceny and possible Forgery.

Someone signs for outgoing vendor checks at a Stamford office after introducing herself as “Sarah from Accounting.” Assuming another’s identity + act to gain → Criminal Impersonation.

On the phone with a carrier, the caller claims to be the account holder, answers basic questions, and secures a $250 credit and a SIM swap. Impersonation + act + benefit → Criminal Impersonation (and possibly Identity Theft/Computer Crime).

You present a current, valid Power of Attorney and use the principal’s accounts to pay utilities and rent at their direction. That is authorized conduct—not criminal impersonation. (Keep the POA and written instructions.)

Often, yes. As a Class A misdemeanor, § 53a-130 is typically AR-eligible for defendants without disqualifying histories. Judges weigh accountability and risk; restitution and strong character materials help. On successful completion, the case is dismissed and erased.

• Authorizations: emails/texts/letters showing POA or employer delegation.
• POA/employment documents and policy manuals.
• Receipts, call logs, app screenshots, POS records detailing what actually happened.
• Location/device data (GPS, IP logs) that conflicts with the State’s timeline.

• Identity Theft — §§ 53a-129b/c/d
• Trafficking in Personal Identifying Information — § 53a-129e
• Credit Card Crimes — § 53a-128d et seq.
• Larceny (by value) — §§ 53a-122 to 53a-125b
• Impersonation of a Police Officer — § 53a-130a

• Don’t give a statement to loss-prevention or police before speaking with counsel.
• Gather the paperwork: authorizations, badges, emails, and any policy/procedure documents.
• If there was money or property involved, map the value: refunds, reversals, returns, and any restitution.

Charged with Criminal Impersonation (C.G.S. § 53a-130) in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, Milford, or anywhere in Connecticut? Get clear, practical guidance from a real person—today.

Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer will review the facts, identify your best defenses, and map an immediate plan in plain English.

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