Top El Segundo, CA Credit Card Fraud Lawyers Near You
Credit Card Fraud Lawyers | Serving Long Beach, CA
Federal and White Collar criminal defense. Lead trial counsel on over 400 federal criminal defense cases.
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1925 Century Park E, Suite 1700, Los Angeles, CA 90067
120 Broadway, Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401
2049 Century Park E, 37th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
730 Arizona Ave, 1st Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401
350 South Grand Avenue, 50th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071-3426
1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067
23276 S Pointe Dr, Suite 216, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
515 South Flower Street, 42nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90024
PO Box 49899, Los Angeles, CA 90049
1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90067
3 Hutton Centre Drive, 9th Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92707
225 South Lake Ave, Suite 300, Pasadena, CA 91101
1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90067
15760 Ventura Blvd, Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436
401 Wilshire Blvd, Floor 12, Santa Monica, CA 90401
1 World Trade Center, Suite 2575, Long Beach, CA 90831
633 West 5th Street, Suite 4900, Los Angeles, CA 90071-2005
1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 450, Los Angeles, CA 90067
9119 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
550 S Hope St, Suite 2330, Los Angeles, CA 90071
865 S. Figueroa St., Suite 3100, Los Angeles, CA 90017
714 West Olympic Blvd, Suite 938, Los Angeles, CA 90015
818 West 7th Street, Suite 960, Los Angeles, CA 90017
10970 Arrow Route, ste 202, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
El Segundo 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 California?
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.