Were You Arrested on Fraud Charges?
Fraud occurs when someone attempts to gain an advantage, financially or for other reasons, over another individual, the government, or a company with the use of misrepresentation or subterfuge. Fraud comes in many forms and types: credit card fraud, insurance fraud, tax fraud, welfare fraud, accounting fraud and identity theft to name a few. Depending on the nature of the case, fraud can be a violation of state or federal law.
If you are under investigation for fraud in California, call us now.
Los Angeles Fraud Attorney
If you have been wrongfully accused or charged with fraud, it is crucial to know the details of your charges. Fraud offenses are a category of theft crimes in which the act of theft is carried out by trick, deception, or other devices. If you’re facing fraud charges in Los Angeles, hiring a criminal defense attorney with experience handling these types of cases is essential.
Committing fraud carries heavy prison sentences and fines. These types of cases are often complicated and lengthy. You’ll suffer from these consequences if you are accused or convicted of fraudulent crimes.
Our Los Angeles Fraud attorney will fight tooth and nail against any criminal charges brought against you. Our Los Angeles criminal defense firm has a proven track record of providing exceptional representation. We help our clients avoid jail time and reduce fines. We’ll make sure that your voice is heard when negotiating with prosecutors or arguing your case before a judge and jury.
Legal Definition of Fraud Crimes in Los Angeles, CA
The California Law defines fraud crimes as theft by deception. The key factors you can find in every type of fraud crime are deception and misrepresentation. This means that a criminal intends to possess a victim’s property by leading them to believe or use fraudulent information.
There are several criminal acts associated with fraud crimes. Forgery and document falsification are some of the best examples. Insurance fraud, credit card fraud, and welfare fraud are also common throughout the United States.
Legal Defenses We Can Use Against Fraud Charges in Los Angeles
Defendants can use several defense strategies against false accusations. Our Los Angeles Fraud lawyer has helped many clients in the past fight for their rights. We help clients achieve justice by providing a customized defense strategy perfect for their situation.
Fraud crime is a category under theft crime. In every theft charge, an intention to steal must be present. If you are being accused of a fraud crime, you can argue that you don’t have the intent to defraud the other party.
There’s a chance that you are a victim of a fraudulent crime. In some cases, a criminal can use your identity to commit theft. If this is your case, we can gather the necessary evidence to prove that someone else is using your identity to steal from another person.
Defendants can also argue that there is not enough evidence to incriminate them as a criminal. In some cases, you can be mistaken for identity. Once you and your lawyer have proven this, the court will drop your charges.
There is no one size fits all solution in a fraud case. It would be best if you seek the professional advice of a Los Angeles Fraud defense lawyer. They can help you collect evidence and build a solid case to support your innocence.
Common Types of Fraud Offenses We Handle in Los Angeles, CA
Our experienced Los Angeles Fraud defense attorney helped many clients in the past. Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer handles all types of fraud crimes, from credit card fraud to identity theft. We offer a free consultation for your initial visit.
Our experienced Los Angeles fraud attorney handles a wide array of fraud crimes. We assisted numerous clients before and helped them achieve justice against false allegations. Our Los Angeles fraud lawyer offers a free initial consultation for every potential client.
Forgery
California Penal Code 470 defines forgery as illegally using a person’s name or fake name in a document. In some cases, a scammer may use the identity of a senior citizen. This fraudulent action is a basis for elder abuse under Penal Code Section 368. Forgery can be a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the nature of the case.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud can have different types. Insurance fraud is when a scammer makes a false insurance claim to steal from the victim’s insurance provider. Penal Code 550 makes it a crime to steal from another person’s insurance property. The following are the different types of insurance fraud:
Automobile insurance fraud
An automobile insurance fraud includes intentionally damaging a vehicle to receive insurance compensation. Submitting a false insurance claim or sending more than one claim for the same damage can also be considered a fraudulent act. An automobile insurance fraud is regarded as a felony offense in California.
Health care insurance fraud
Most healthcare insurance fraud cases involve creating a fraudulent activity to gain payment and benefit from the medical insurance provider. A typical scenario in this type of fraud is billing for medical treatment or service that never happened. Making fraudulent claims of less than $950 is a misdemeanor. On the other hand, stealing an amount greater than $950 is a felony.
Unemployment insurance fraud
Making unemployment claims when you still have an occupation is a fraudulent behavior punishable by the law. Unemployment Insurance Code 2101 defines unemployment fraud as a wobbler offense. The convicted person will face one year of jail time and a $20,000 fine charges as a misdemeanor. At the same time, a felony offense is punishable by sixteen months jail time and a $20,000 fine.
Welfare fraud
Delivering a false statement to receive welfare benefits is a fraudulent crime. Welfare fraud is a high-priority theft offense and punishable with grave consequences. In most cases, a welfare fraud conviction is tied up with perjury.
Worker’s compensation fraud
A worker’s compensation is established to help workers with their medical needs. However, making a false claim to receive monetary compensation is a fraudulent act according to the law. A worker’s compensation fraud can either be a misdemeanor or felony offense. Misdemeanor offenders will face a one-year jail time and a $150,000 fine, while a felony offender will face up to five years of jail time and a $150,000 fine.
Financial Fraud
Financial fraud is when a person uses another person’s personal information to steal money from them. The most common type of financial fraud is credit card fraud. If you are accused of financial fraud, then you should contact a fraud defense lawyer immediately.
Tax fraud
California Revenue and Taxation Code 19701 criminalizes intentional evading taxes. Intentionally submitting a fraudulent return or statement is considered fraudulent activity. A tax fraud conviction is punishable by one year in county jail and up to $20,000 fines at the state level. In contrast, federal tax fraud is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.
Loan fraud
A real estate mortgage fraud or a loan fraud is when you provide a false statement in a mortgage application to receive a lower interest rate. Forgery is also commonly encountered in loan fraud. Loan fraud can be considered grand theft if the felon stole a value greater than $950.
Check fraud
Penal Code 476 of the California Law makes it illegal to forge names or signatures in a check payment. Under this law, check fraud is considered when a person changes the name, amount, or signature in a check payment. Check fraud can be a misdemeanor or felony offense.
Convicted individuals may face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine as misdemeanor charges. As a felony offense, a convicted felon may face up to three years in prison or a $10,000 fine.
Credit card fraud
Under Penal Code 484e of the California Law, unauthorized use of another person’s credit card is fraudulent. Even using revoked credit or debit cards is classified under credit card fraud. Because there are numerous types of credit card fraud, the penalty for this crime varies depending on the nature of the scam.
Securities fraud
Fraudulent activities involving stocks and investment properties are classified under securities fraud. Usually, this involves selling underqualified securities or providing misleading information to generate money. A security fraud usually involves numerous legalities. If you are experiencing allegations of this type of fraud, consulting with an experienced fraud defense attorney is your next best step.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is described as the improper use of a property that has been entrusted to you. Forging paperwork is one example, as is an employee squandering monetary amounts given to him by his company.
To prove this offense, the victim must demonstrate that he entrusted the property to the embezzler. He should show that he did it because he is confident and trusting of the other individual. The victim must produce proof of property misappropriation.
Collateral Consequences of Fraud Conviction in Los Angeles
A fraud conviction has a severe impact on your future opportunities. As a student, your opportunity to enter a university or college is limited. Most universities prefer to accept candidates with a clean record.
Moreover, you might not be eligible to receive financial aid. As a professional, your license might get revoked or suspended. You may be allowed to enter specific industries with an existing criminal record.
Finding a Fraud Attorney Near Me
We believe that an informed client is a satisfied client. We can help you guarantee that our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer will handle your case effectively. Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will always keep you updated on your fraud case’s most recent news and developments.
Call us now at 888‑885‑8844 for a free case evaluation. Alternatively, you can also fill out our online contact form here.
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