McKinney, Texas Fraud Defense Lawyers
Resourceful Fraud Lawyer Challenging White Collar Crime Charges in McKinney, TX
When people are accused of white collar crimes, the specific charges they may face will often involve fraud. While fraud generally involves using deception for financial gain, the specific charges a person may face may depend on what types of actions they allegedly took, their communications with alleged victims, and the value of money or property that was allegedly obtained through fraud. Whether a case involves the unauthorized use of credit cards, providing false information to a bank or insurance company, or other forms of financial deception, it is important to understand the best steps to take to defend against these charges.
Fraud charges will often involve extensive evidence such as financial records or digital communications. While people may be charged with fraud at the state level, some white collar offenses may lead to federal fraud charges. At Texas Defense Firm, our attorneys understand the legal and financial issues that may be addressed in these cases. We can help clients address accusations of fraud and defend against criminal convictions.
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Credit Card Fraud
Many people who face charges of fraud may be accused of misusing credit cards. The offense of credit card or debit card abuse may involve using a card that was not issued to a person without the consent of the actual cardholder. A person may also face criminal charges based on the use of expired or cancelled credit cards, buying or selling someone else's credit card information, or other methods of misusing credit cards to obtain goods or services.
Credit card fraud may be charged as a state jail felony, with penalties that may include a sentence ranging from six months to two years. If a person is accused of committing an offense against an elderly person, such as by stealing their credit card or using it to make unauthorized purchases, they could be charged with a third-degree felony, and they could be sentenced to two to 10 years upon conviction.
A person may also face charges related to the possession of credit card information. These charges may apply when a person is accused of possessing stolen credit cards or credit card numbers with the intent to commit fraud. The charges in these cases can range from state jail felonies to first-degree felonies depending on the number of cards a person allegedly possessed.
Mortgage Fraud
Some forms of fraud may involve making false statements to financial institutions in order to obtain credit, such as mortgage loans. A person could be charged with an offense if they allegedly provide false information on loan application documents, manipulate real estate appraisals to influence decisions about loans, or take other fraudulent actions to receive loans.
The specific penalties a person may face in a mortgage fraud case will depend on the amount of credit that was allegedly obtained through fraud. While misdemeanor charges may apply in cases involving less than $2,500, most mortgages involve much higher amounts, making felony charges more likely. The most serious charges may involve amounts above $300,000. These offenses may be charged as first-degree felonies, and a conviction could lead to a prison sentence lasting for five to 99 years.
Insurance Fraud
Some forms of fraud may involve making false claims to insurance companies. A person who is accused of providing an insurance company with false or misleading information in order to obtain payments through a claim could be charged with insurance fraud. As with other types of fraud, the specific penalties that may apply will depend on the value of a false claim. A claim for less than $2,500 may result in misdemeanor charges, but larger amounts can lead to felony charges. False claims involving between $2,500 and $30,000 may result in state jail felony charges. For larger amounts, a person could be charged with a third-degree, second-degree, or first-degree felony.
Healthcare Fraud
A fraud offense that is related to medical care may be considered to be healthcare fraud. These charges may apply when healthcare providers are accused of submitting fraudulent claims to receive payments from private health insurance programs or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Accusations may involve billing for services that were not actually provided, bundling different services together in order to charge higher amounts, or other methods of securing payments through falsified information.
The penalties for healthcare fraud are similar to those that would apply for other forms of fraud. Depending on the amounts involved, charges may range from misdemeanors to serious felonies.
Additional Penalties for Fraud Convictions
As mentioned above, the penalties for fraud will depend on the amount of money or the value of property that was allegedly obtained through deception or falsified financial information. In addition to the possibility of jail time, fraud convictions may require people to pay thousands, tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and restitution. In addition, a person who held a professional license, such as a doctor or someone working in the financial field, may have their license suspended or revoked, preventing them from working in that field in the future.
Defending Against Charges of Fraud
Our lawyers have the experience needed to address the complex evidence involved in fraud cases. We will carefully review financial records and other details related to an alleged offense. We will look at whether prosecutors can demonstrate that there was an intent to commit fraud, and we may be able to argue that a situation involved a mistake, a billing error, or other issues rather than fraud.
We will also look at how the value of money or property that was allegedly obtained through fraud has been calculated. Because these figures will determine whether a case may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony and what penalties may apply, we can take steps to prevent clients from facing harsh penalties due to miscalculations. We will work to resolve these cases successfully while preventing convictions and helping clients avoid financial losses and other penalties.
Contact Our McKinney, TX Fraud Defense Attorneys
When addressing charges of fraud, a careful, detail-oriented defense can be crucial. At Texas Defense Firm, we can help clients determine the best steps to take as they respond to fraud charges and defend against criminal convictions. For a free consultation, contact our McKinney fraud lawyers at 972-369-0577.
