Top Fort Defiance, AZ Credit Card Fraud Lawyers Near You
150 S.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 600, Miami, FL 33131
11 N Washington St, Suite 450, Rockville, MD 20850
1025 Westchester Ave, Suite 106, White Plains, NY 10604
1400 16th Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202
3099 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43204
4208 Six Forks Road, Suite 1400, Raleigh, NC 27609
9219 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410
2250 SW 3rd Avenue, 4th Floor, Miami, FL 33129
140 Walnut St, Suite 202, Kansas City, MO 64106
925 Fourth Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA 98104
1700 New York Ave NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006
100 Westminster St, Suite 710, Providence, RI 02903
518 17th St., Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80202
2 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02110
100 West Franklin Street, Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23220
200-A Monroe Street, Suite 305, Rockville, MD 20850
5015 Birch Street, Suite 107, Newport Beach, CA 92660
85 Exchange Place, Portland, ME 04101
1021 W Adams St, Suite 221, Chicago, IL 60607
601 Poydras Street, Suite 2660, New Orleans, LA 70130-6029
45 Main St, Suite 206, Brooklyn, NY 11201
256 5th Ave, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001
507 Plum Street, Suite 310, Syracuse, NY 13204
1901 6th Ave. N, Suite 1400, Birmingham, AL 35203-2623
1612 Summit Ave, Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Fort Defiance Credit Card Fraud Information
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What Is Credit Card Fraud?
Credit card fraud is an offense that takes place when the offender, without the consent of the legitimate cardholder, uses their credit card or credit card details to make illegitimate purchases or withdraw money from the legitimate cardholder’s account.
Credit card fraud is a form of identity theft and is a crime at both the state and federal levels.
What Are Some Common Types of Credit Card Fraud?
Credit card fraud takes many forms. For example, simply stealing the physical card of the legitimate cardholder and then using the card to make fraudulent in-person or online transactions for the offender’s own benefit qualifies.
Likewise, skimming credit cards at a point-of-sale also constitutes credit card fraud. A dishonest gas station employee who skims the credit card of a legitimate cardholder paying for their bill, then later uses that skimmed data (either selling it on the dark web or by using it directly) is also guilty of credit card fraud.
The prevalence of card chips in contemporary credit cards (and readers that allow would-be criminals to steal data merely by being within range) has led to a prevalence in interest in protecting physical credit card credentials. Chip-blocking shields or sleeves have become standard in many households, with banking institutions joining the trend of issuing sleeves to their clients.
Can You Go to Jail for Credit Card Fraud in Arizona?
Yes. Credit card fraud is a serious crime and those convicted of charges related to credit card fraud whether in federal or state court could be sentenced to a lengthy jail term, depending on the circumstances surrounding the offense and the total damages incurred by the criminal act in question.
What Is the Punishment for Credit Card Fraud?
If found guilty of credit card fraud at the federal level, you could face the maximum penalty is up to 10 years imprisonment in addition to a potential fine of no more than $10,000 per charge. Some types of credit card fraud involving unauthorized use of certain access devices, or telemarketing scams, are included. In these instances, the maximum penalty is escalated to up to 20 years imprisonment.
State-level statutes vary in how they treat credit card fraud, with some bundling the offense in with other white-collar criminal fraud offenses. The penalty for misdemeanor fraud/credit card fraud (sometimes defined as petty theft) typically ranges from six months to one year in county jail, with restitution and fines according to the value stolen or misappropriated.
The penalty for felony credit card fraud (typically defined as fraud over $400, or grand theft) could result in up to five years jail time, with a sentencing range of one to three years.
Do I Need a Credit Card Fraud Lawyer?
If you are facing charges related to credit card fraud, it is highly advised that you retain experienced legal counsel immediately. Without the guidance and legal expertise of a skilled attorney, your chances of being convicted increase significantly, and likewise, your chances of acquiring an acquittal drop substantially.
Given the complexity of most fraud cases, it is strongly recommended that you speak to an attorney specifically focused on criminal defense cases.
How Can a Lawyer Help With Credit Card Fraud Charges?
While attorney-client privilege affords you the right to speak and strategize with your lawyer, it also affords you the benefit of being able to figure out potential pitfalls for your case well in advance.
A skilled criminal defense attorney might deploy any number of common, effective defenses against credit card fraud charges if your case goes to trial. The prosecution will need to prove intent, and that you acted with intent to defraud a legitimate cardholder (or cardholders) during the proceedings, and this can be a high bar to clear.
A good defense attorney will be able to cast doubt on these accusations, barring the presence of strong material evidence, and may also invoke other defensive options. Arguing that you mistakenly confused an individual’s card with your own, that you were forced into a fraudulent activity via threat or duress and other legal defenses may be possible.