Georgetown Fraud Lawyers

Texas Fraud Charges: Types & Penalties

A white collar crime, fraud involves deceitful practices intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain. 

Fraud offenses encompass a wide range of activities, such as:

• Credit Card Fraud: Unauthorized use of another person's credit card information.
• Identity Theft: Illegally obtaining and using someone else's personal data.
• Insurance Fraud: Filing false insurance claims to receive benefits.
• Bank Fraud: Engaging in schemes to defraud financial institutions.
• Mail and Wire Fraud: Using mail or electronic communications to carry out fraudulent activities.
• Healthcare Fraud: Submitting false claims or misrepresentations to health insurance providers or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
• Mortgage Fraud: Providing false information or omitting crucial details on mortgage applications to obtain loans under false pretenses.
• Securities Fraud: Engaging in deceptive practices in the stock or commodities markets, such as insider trading or providing false information to investors.
• Tax Fraud: Willfully falsifying information on tax returns to evade paying the correct amount of taxes.
• Computer or Cyber Fraud: Using computers, the internet, or electronic systems to commit fraud, including phishing schemes and hacking.
• Real Estate Fraud: Misrepresenting information related to property sales or rentals to deceive buyers, sellers, or lenders.
• Investment Fraud: Deceptive practices involving investments, such as Ponzi schemes or pyramid schemes, promising high returns with little risk.
• Benefit Fraud: Misrepresenting eligibility or circumstances to receive unemployment, disability, or other government benefits.

These offenses can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on factors like the amount of money involved and prior criminal history. They may also be charged at a state or federal level, depending on whether state lines were crossed, the government was targeted, and other factors. 

The penalties for fraud vary considerably based on the value of losses. In Texas, fraud valued at $30,000 to $50,000 may be punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison. Wire fraud involving a financial institution, a federal crime, may be punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. With so much at stake, hiring a Georgetown fraud defense lawyer could not be more important.

Choose an Experienced Fraud Attorney in Georgetown

Navigating fraud charges requires a deep understanding of both federal and Texas state laws.  

When you work with Winters & Chidester, we can:

• Identify and challenge any unlawful attempts by authorities to collect evidence against you. 
• Provide guidance on how to handle inquiries or investigations to avoid self-incrimination.
• Examine the evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case, whether it's pursued by state or federal authorities.
• Tailor an approach based on the specifics of your situation, considering the nuances of federal statutes and legal procedures when applicable.
• Build an aggressive defense against your fraud charges.
• Advocate for your rights during hearings and trials in both state and federal courts.

To discuss your case and your options, contact a Georgetown fraud attorney at (512) 961-4555 for a confidential consultation.