Bank fraud is often charged as a “scheme or artifice” to defraud that involves the use of deception or deceit to obtain money or other property from a financial institution, or from a bank’s depositors. Federal laws provide that the bank fraud statute is very broad.
If you have been charged with bank fraud, the government has already built a case against you and federal prosecutors are putting together arguments to convict you. You need a skilled criminal defense attorney to prepare your defense and protect your interests. Bank fraud requires that you would have acted “knowingly” meaning that you were specifically aware of making false representations. Sometimes, the government does not completely your business model and they draw incorrect conclusions from their confusion.
Under federal law, bank fraud is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 30 years a fine of up to $1,000,000 or twice the amount fraudulently obtained, or both. It is a very serious charge demanding your immediate attention and representation by a criminal defense attorney experienced in handling important and complex federal cases.
According to federal laws, any scheme intended to defraud a federal institution is bank fraud. Usually this involves trying to get money from a bank under false pretenses, including, check fraud, credit and debit card fraud, internet fraud, and identify theft. Bank fraud can target depositors of financial institutions. An example would be an investment fraud scheme (or Ponzi scheme) where investor money is fraudulently solicited and then obtained by a defendant.
Check Fraud is a common form of bank fraud. This often involves the fraudulent use of checks to obtain money or other assets. There are different types of check fraud, and they are all illegal under federal law. If you have been arrested for any type of check fraud, whether forging a signature on stolen checks, altering amounts or payees on checks, or creating counterfeit checks, contact our office so we can begin building your defense.
Credit Card and Debit Card Fraud involves using fraudulent cards to make purchases. Using stolen cards, using other people’s credit card information, or lying on a credit card application are all examples of credit card fraud.
Internet Fraud involves hacking into computer systems to access financial accounts and information. In addition to bank fraud, people who are charged with internet-related crimes are usually also charged with other state and federal crimes.
Identity Theft is utilized in cases of internet, credit card, and check fraud. However, other forms of identity theft can also constitute bank fraud, such as using someone’s information to create or log into an online account, using forged documents at a bank, or using a fake passport or driver’s license at a bank.
Bank fraud charges can be extremely serious. “The feds” often tack on additional charges of mail fraud and/or wire fraud to gain negotiating power, and they bring untold resources and legal talent to bear on the case against you. You definitely need a federal criminal defense attorney who is experienced and has a successful track record defending clients against federal charges to obtain a favorable resolution for your case.
At Haas Law, we will thoroughly investigate the charges against you, exploring every possible avenue to get the charges dismissed or reduced. We look for holes in the prosecution’s case and develop defense strategies essential to building the best possible defense. If going to trial is your best option, we put our resources, experience and courtroom skills to work, arguing aggressively on your behalf.
A conviction for bank fraud can be devastating to you and your family, so please don’t hesitate to get the legal help you need as soon as possible. If you need help when you’re being investigated, after you’ve been charged, or on appeal, call Haas Law. We will put our knowledge and experience to work fighting for you.
For bank fraud cases, hiring an attorney with federal experience is essential. You have rights, and you deserve to have them vigorously protected. Effective communication with federal agents and federal prosecutors is necessary, so hiring an attorney who “speaks the same language” is important to having a strong defense. Countering the aggressive tactics of and legal skill set of federal prosecutors and federal agencies requires experience, knowledge, and tenacity.
At Haas Law, we defend clients in federal courts throughout the United States. We can guide you through every stage of the federal criminal justice system. We can intervene on your behalf today. We can negotiate for custody release and reduced charges, and we can even try to prevent an arrest.
If you are facing bank fraud charges anywhere in the United States, call us at 407-755-7675 or submit our form online as soon as possible so we can begin preparing your defense.
