Top Montrose, 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.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
300 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4100, Los Angeles, CA 90071-3151
10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 2500, Los Angeles, CA 90067
15303 Ventura Blvd., 9th Floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
355 S Grand Ave, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90071
953 E 3rd St, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90013
1875 Century Park East, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067
11766 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 750, Los Angeles, CA 90025
2029 Century Park East, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90067
45841 Oasis St #5, Indio, CA 92201
11693 San Vicente Blvd, #510, Los Angeles, CA 90049
26161 Marguerite Parkway, Suite B, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
7095 Indiana Avenue, Suite 200, Riverside, CA 92506
404 W 4th St, Suite L, Santa Ana, CA 92701
1801 Century Park W, 5th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
515 South Flower Street, 42nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071
600 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1550, Los Angeles, CA 90017
633 W Fifth St, Suite 5000, Los Angeles, CA 90071
333 N Glenoaks Blvd, Suite 210, Burbank, CA 91502
650 Town Center, Suite 1400, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
1801 Century Park E Ste 2400, Los Angeles, CA 90067
401 Wilshire Blvd, Floor 12, Santa Monica, CA 90401
300 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 1200, Irvine, CA 92618
23276 S Pointe Dr, Suite 216, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Eighth Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067
1901 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 450, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Montrose Credit Card Fraud Information
Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys in Montrose
Lead Counsel independently verifies Credit Card Fraud attorneys in Montrose and checks their standing with California bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
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.