Long Beach Credit Card Fraud Lawyer

Criminal Defense Firm Advocating on Behalf of Clients in Long Beach Charged with Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is a very serious criminal offense in the state of California. Whether you are under investigation or have been charged, it is vital you consult with a capable and experienced Long Beach criminal defense attorney right away, in order to limit the potential damage to your freedom, reputation, and career. At The Justice Firm, we work aggressively on behalf of our clients, providing you with the unsurpassed legal support and guidance you deserve.

There are various types of credit card fraud, including traditional techniques such as intercept fraud, application fraud, and using a lost or stolen card. In addition, modern techniques include fake merchant sites, site cloning, doctored or “fake” cards, credit card generators, and triangulation. Regardless of the scheme you are accused of, the consequences can be devastating to your life.

Today, credit card fraud may involve multiple parties, where this offense once generally involved only one person. Considered a white collar crime rather than a violent crime, the punishment for credit card fraud is still severe, and may include prison time in addition to substantial fines.

Credit Card Fraud in Long Beach

If you are prosecuted for credit card fraud, there are various sections of the law related to this offense that may be prosecuted. These include:

• Penal Code Section 118 – Perjury
• Penal Code Section 484i(c) – Unlawful Access Card Activity
• Penal Code Section 532a(1) – False Financial Statement
• Penal Code Section 530.5(e) – Mail Theft
• Penal Code Section 530.5(a) – Identity Theft
• Penal Code Section 496(a) – Receiving Stolen Property

It is important to understand that FBI or other federal law enforcement agencies may have jurisdiction to investigate your case, because of the fact that credit cards are processed over a phone line or the Internet in the majority of cases Therefore, you could be prosecuted at either the federal or state level. Regardless, it is critical to your future to work with a dedicated and highly qualified Long Beach credit card fraud lawyer.

California Penalties for Credit Card Fraud

Depending on the seriousness of the offense, penalties may vary substantially; however most include jail/prison time and fines. Charged either as petty theft, grand theft, or forgery in most cases, penalties for a conviction include the following:

Petty theft is charged as a misdemeanor, and may leave you facing a maximum of six months in jail along with fines of up to $1,000 if convicted.

Grand theft incurs the same penalties as those that apply to felony forgery.

Forgery may be charged either as a misdemeanor or felony. If charged as a felony, you will face a maximum of three years in state prison, along with fines of up to $10,000. If charged as a misdemeanor, penalties include up to one year in county jail and/or fines of up to $1,000.

In some cases, the charges may be more serious. Penalties could potentially include fines of up to $250,000 and/or prison time of up to 15 years.

Contact The Justice Firm Immediately

At The Justice Firm, we understand that no one wants to face thousands of dollars in fines and potential jail/prison time. However, for many people the worst punishment of all is the ruin of a reputation or career, and the embarrassment/social stigma that often go along with being accused of a crime. If you have been charged with credit card fraud or are under investigation, do not hesitate before contact our Long Beach credit card fraud defense lawyers. Call us now for a free consultation at 310-914-2444.