Most people do not realize they are the subject of a fraud investigation until they are arrested. In South Carolina, fraud is a felony and carries significant penalties.
If you were accused of fraud, you have options. Consult a Goose Creek fraud lawyer at Adams & Bischoff, P.C. Our dedicated criminal defense attorneys could help you develop a strong defense to defeat the charges against you. We understand that a criminal conviction will impact you for years to come. Your best chance of a favorable outcome is hiring a seasoned legal professional to handle your case.
Types of Criminal Fraud
There are various types of fraud someone could commit, and the severity of the offense will depend on the type of fraud and the amount of money involved. Some commonly charged fraud offenses in South Carolina include:
- Bank fraud: When an individual or company engages in fraudulent activity in order to obtain funds or property from either depositors or the financial institution itself.
- Check fraud: When an individual writes out checks for goods or services and knows no funds are available to cover those checks.
- Credit card fraud: When an individual uses an unauthorized credit card or a credit card number.
- Health care fraud: If a person or company files false billing claims with health insurance companies—such as charging for treatment that was never received or charging inflated prices for services—it is health care fraud.
- Identity theft: Using another person’s name, birth date, social security number, and other personal information to obtain credit and other services without that person’s authorization.
- Insurance fraud: Filing a false insurance claim, such as staging a vehicle accident or falsifying the amount of actual damages suffered in an incident.
- Mail fraud: Using the postal service to defraud someone out of money or property.
- Mortgage fraud: Providing false information to a financial lending institution to obtain a mortgage.
- Ponzi schemes: When a company uses funds from new investors to pay existing investors in order to give the appearance of legitimate profits.
- Prescription fraud: When an individual uses a stolen prescription pad to illegally obtain prescription medication or alters a legitimate prescription.
- Securities fraud: When one person knowingly provides false information to another person, and they make investments based on that false information.
- Tax fraud: When a person or entity either fails to pay their taxes or deliberately underpays their taxes by filing false tax returns.
- Wire fraud: Using any type of electronic communication to defraud someone out of money or property.
Fraud can be charged at the federal or state level. No matter what type of fraud someone is accused of, they should contact an experienced Goose Creek attorney to discuss the charges and possible defenses.
Defenses Against Fraud Charges
Penalties for fraud depend on the amount of money and type of fraud committed. Before charging people with fraud, the government conducts thorough investigations. However, this does not mean there are no defenses. For example:
- Duress
- Entrapment
- Lack of intent
- Violation of constitutional rights
If the government cannot prove its case, the case must be dismissed. A skilled fraud lawyer in Goose Creek could discuss potential defenses in further detail based on the circumstances of a specific case.
Consult a Goose Creek Fraud Attorney for Help
If you were charged with fraud, do not hesitate to contact an attorney. A Goose Creek fraud lawyer could advise you of your rights throughout the criminal justice process and help you secure a favorable outcome. They could negotiate with prosecutors to reduce the charges and, depending on the weight of the evidence against you, advocate for the charges to be dismissed.
A criminal record could impact your housing, employment, and relationships with friends and family. Our committed criminal defense attorneys will do everything we can to help you defeat the charges.