Los Angeles Credit Card Fraud Attorney
Information on Credit Card Fraud
There are many definitions for credit fraud. Several various crimes can be classified as credit card fraud, depending upon the circumstance. Credit card can be something as small as using a family member’s credit card without their permission, to as large as stealing thousands of numbers from a business and charging large items to all of them.
Credit card fraud can also include illegally obtaining credit cards by lying on the applications, and purchasing items up to the card’s limit with no intention to pay. If you have been charged with credit card fraud, contact an attorney from our firm as soon as possible to get started on your defense.
Contact our firm today to discuss your case and get started on your defense.
Types of Credit Card Fraud Charges
California has various statutes that cover credit card fraud offenses, including:
- Stolen credit cards, including selling or transferring access to a card without the owner’s consent
- Forging credit card information, such as signing for a transaction without the cardholder’s knowledge or consent
- Fraudulent credit card use, including using a credit card that was fraudulently obtained or a fake card to purchase goods and services
- Retailer credit card fraud, such as when a retailer knowingly accepts payment for a fraudulent credit card transaction
- Counterfeit credit cards, including modifying or altering aspects of a credit card for fraudulent purposes
- Identity theft, such as using someone else’s personal information to open credit card accounts
- Mail theft, including stealing someone else’s mail to obtain personal identifying information for credit card applications
- Receiving stolen property, which can occur when you are in possession of a fraudulently obtained credit card, even if you did not use it to make purchases
When facing credit card fraud charges or other offenses related to fraud, you could be facing a wide range of penalties that can include jail time, fines, and a criminal record for a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity of the crime.
You Could Be Facing Federal Charges
Credit card fraud is a white collar crime and, if the crime was perpetrated in more than one state, can be a federal crime. A federal crime will be harshly pursued by federal prosecutors and under the federal sentencing guidelines can result in severe punishments, including lengthy time federal prison. Even if it is not tried as a federal crime, a credit card fraud conviction that is a felony can also carry with it extremely harsh sentencing. In these instances, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight for you in your legal proceedings.
Arrested for Fraud? We’re Here to Help
At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience handling criminal defense cases such as credit card fraud and can help you devise a powerful defense strategy that may be able to have your charges reduced or dropped, or have you acquitted at trial.
Schedule your consultation today.
