Fraud refers to any act that is intended deceive someone — specifically, for the purpose of achieving monetary or personal gain. Thousands of people are victims of fraudulent activities every single year, and it always includes some sort of misrepresentation or deceitful action. Its purpose is to gain something of value by leading someone to believe in something that the perpetrator knows isn’t true.
The Legal Definition of Fraud
Fraud falls under both civil and criminal law, depending on who files the case. Only government prosecutors can charge someone with criminal fraud, but the victim can always file a lawsuit. Sometimes, the person who commits the fraudulent activity faces both a criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit. Any criminal charges must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt,” and a conviction could mean jail time, probation, and even fines.
While the exact definition of fraud can vary, it will usually include the following:
- The intentional misrepresentation of a fact.
- The knowledge that the information being presented is false.
- The victim must rely on the information being presented.
- The victim suffers a loss as a result of the misrepresentation.
There are several types of fraud, which include but may not be limited to:
- Identity theft
- Insurance fraud
- Mail fraud
- Credit or debit card fraud
- Securities fraud
- Telemarketing fraud
- Wire fraud
- Bankruptcy fraud
- Tax evasion
Be sure to speak to a qualified attorney if you have been wrongfully accused of any of these activities.
Possible Warning Signs of Fraudulent Activity
You should always be wary of anyone you don’t know for your Social Security number or any of your previous addresses because it can be used for identity theft, and you should never click on hyperlinks inside an email unless you know who sent it. You should also be on guard if you lose your credit or debit card, because it could have been stolen or misused. And if you receive promises from someone you don’t know that seem “too good to be true,” it should be seen as a warning sign for a scam.
Anyone can fall victim to fraud, which can cause a feeling of anger or sense of betrayal. It can also cause feelings of guilt, shame, frustration, and even anxiety over what has been lost. Some victims won’t even report the crime because they feel embarrassed, and they’ll even blame themselves for the incident. Yet the perpetrator will continue to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
Qualified Fraud Defense Lawyers in the Coastal Bend!
If you have been falsely accused of committing fraud and are facing possible criminal charges, Gale Law Group has a team of fraud defense lawyers that can help you with your case. We have years of combined experience in defending criminal cases, and we’ll do whatever we can to make sure that you don’t get punished for a crime that you didn’t commit. We’ll fight for you throughout every part of the process, which is why we’re one of the best fraud lawyers in the Coastal Bend.
If you want to work with a qualified criminal defense attorney in Corpus Christi, TX, get in touch with us today!