Miami Criminal Lawyer: Common Types of Fraud

If you’re arrested for a white-collar crime, you need to hire a top-flight criminal lawyer for your defense. The punishments for these offenses can be just as harsh as if you’re convicted for a violent crime. According to the FBI, these crimes are characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust and are not dependent on the application or threat of physical force or violence. 

One of the most common types of white-collar crime is fraud. Under Florida law, fraud is broadly defined as a systematic, ongoing course of conduct with intent to defraud one or more persons, or with intent to obtain property from one or more persons by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises or willful misrepresentations of a future act. 

At the Law Office of Paul J. Donnelly, P.A., we think you should know the most common types of fraud, so you are more informed about the circumstances that could lead to this type of offense.

Common Types of Fraud 

A sharp criminal lawyer will tell you that a conviction for fraud means that the prosecutor has convinced a jury that a defendant knowingly or intentionally misrepresented the facts for personal gain.

The most common types of fraud charges, include:

• Mail and Wire Fraud – Fraud that a defendant conducts through a public or private mail service, or through email, phone or fax. One common example is an email sent by someone who informs a recipient that he or she has won a prize, but must first provide recipient personal information such as a social security number and bank account. Once the recipient provides that information, the sender has access to his or her financial accounts.
• Identity Theft – Fraud in which someone falsely takes on another person’s identity, usually by unlawfully using his or her credit and debit cards.
• Tax Fraud – Making a mistake or an error on your tax return is not the same as intentionally withholding information on your tax return to get a refund, or to ensure that you don’t have to pay a penalty. Failing to file a return even though you are lawfully required to do so is also defined as tax fraud.
• Healthcare Fraud – Common types of healthcare fraud involve billing insurance companies like Medicaid or Medicare for services that weren’t actually performed. Doctors, staff members at clinics, and hospital administrators are the professionals most likely to commit this type of fraud.
• Money Laundering – A serious federal crime, money laundering is the act of taking money that is obtained through illegal sources, and ‘washing’ that money in legitimate enterprises to escape detection from law enforcement. 

Contact a Miami Criminal Lawyer To Defend Fraud Charges 

If you’re arrested on a fraud charge, you need to hire a criminal lawyer as soon as possible so that your rights are protected. A strong defense includes reviewing the evidence, interviewing witnesses, and trying to get charges reduced. Please contact the Law Office of Paul J. Donnelly, P.A., at 305-757-3331 for a free consultation.