If an offense related to identifying information involves 10 or more items and the actor targets an elderly individual, what happens to the punishment?

When an offense related to identifying information involves 10 or more items and specifically targets an elderly individual, the punishment is indeed increased to the next higher category. This enhancement reflects a recognition of the vulnerability of elderly individuals, as they may be less capable of defending themselves against such crimes and more significantly harmed by the impacts of identity theft or fraud.

The legal framework often includes provisions for heightened penalties when specific circumstances, such as targeting a vulnerable population, are present. In this case, the nature of the crime combined with the demographic of the victim serves to escalate the severity of the punishment, thus reinforcing social protections for those who are more susceptible to exploitation. This approach aims to deter such crimes by imposing stricter consequences on offenders who prey upon the elderly, who may be more defenseless.