Baltimore Federal Credit Card Fraud Lawyer
The federal government does not have a law explicitly related to credit card fraud. This does not mean federal prosecutors won’t come after you if they believe you have committed this crime. U.S. Attorneys can charge you under a number of different statutes including crimes related to misusing identifying documents; improper use of access devices; and computer crimes. You need to know your rights if a federal prosecutor is accusing you of a crime. A Baltimore City federal credit card fraud lawyer can provide you with legal representation to help with your case.
Federal Laws on Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud can involve using someone else’s card without permission, applying for a credit card using someone else’s identity, or selling stolen credit card information. As a Baltimore City federal credit card fraud lawyer can tell you, the charges you face will vary depending upon the specific behaviors you have been accused of. For example, you could be charged under:
- Title 18 U.S. Code Section 1028 if you use someone’s identifying information without permission to obtain a credit card or if you share someone else’s identifying information as part of a scheme to unlawfully obtain credit.
- Code Section 1029 if you produce, use, control, possess, or traffic in counterfeit access devices. Counterfeit access devices can make it possible to make unauthorized credit card charges.
- Code Section 1030 if a computer is used to commit credit card fraud. Section 1030(a)(2)(a) prohibits unlawfully accessing a computer to obtain any card information or information contained in a financial record or institution.
- Code Section 1341 if you use the U.S. postal service as part of a credit card fraud scheme. This could include sending false applications for credit in the mail.
- Code Section 1343 if you use wire, radio, or television as part of a scheme to falsely obtain credit or commit any type of credit fraud.
- Code Section 1344 if the credit fraud scheme you are accused of involves an attempt to defraud a financial institution or to obtain money, credit, or other items of value from a financial institution using false pretenses.
A U.S. Attorney will determine what offenses you should be charged with. In some cases, you may face many different counts of federal charges for the same alleged credit card fraud offense. A Baltimore City federal credit card fraud lawyer can help you determine the appropriate response to your charges.
Penalties for Federal Credit Card Fraud
Those who are accused of credit card fraud in Baltimore City could face lengthy jail sentences if convicted, especially if charged with multiple offenses. The penalty for misuse of someone’s identification alone could be as long as 15 years incarceration if you used someone else’s government-issued identification to falsely obtain credit.
If you are accused of participation in an organized plan to commit credit card fraud, the federal government could also bring charges under RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations). Potential penalties under Code Section 1963 could include 20 years incarceration, making it imperative that a Baltimore city federal credit card fraud lawyer is contacted as soon as possible.
Hiring a Baltimore City Federal Credit Card Fraud Lawyer
A Baltimore City federal credit card fraud lawyer can help you to identify defenses appropriate based on the charges you face. For example, you could argue that you did not intend to commit a fraud offense or that you did not misuse someone’s identification to obtain credit.
Negotiating a plea bargain may be an option to reduce charges or penalties if you are accused of credit card fraud. You may also be able to raise defenses or introduce doubts about your guilt in order to avoid a guilty verdict.
It is important you understand your rights because prosecutors are often very harsh when pursuing credit card fraud cases. You should not have your reputation and future destroyed because of an accusation against you. Call to speak with an attorney to learn more about your legal options.