Raleigh Federal Bank Fraud Lawyer

Raleigh Federal Bank Fraud Attorney

A bank fraud charge can lead to significant legal penalties and total destruction of your reputation in the financial industry. The last thing you want is to end up with a criminal record that will follow you forever. Financial crimes can be intricate and complicated, but it’s important that you take criminal charges seriously if you end up being accused. You may want to consider reaching out to a skilled Raleigh federal bank fraud lawyer who can help you build a solid defense.

The legal team at the W. James Payne Law Firm understands the difficulties that often come with federal bank fraud charges. Any form of federal charge can be enough to cause irreparable damage to your life, particularly when it comes to your professional reputation. Even an accusation can be enough to ruin your standing in your industry, so it’s important that you get ahead of it quickly with the help of a federal bank fraud lawyer. Otherwise, you could lose everything.

What Exactly Is Bank Fraud?

Bank fraud is the act of using false information in an effort to defraud a financial institution in some way. This can include obtaining money, property, or any other assets by using illegal tactics in a deceitful way. In North Carolina, many different forms of legislation have been passed in an effort to crack down on bank fraud, such as the Financial Transaction Card Crime Act. There are so many different actions that could be considered bank fraud if the case against you is strong.

Federal bank fraud charges are nothing to scoff at. If you are convicted, you could face severe legal penalties that you may not be prepared to deal with. A federal bank fraud conviction could result in prison time, extraordinary fines, financial restitution, civil penalties, and mandatory probation, depending on the details of your charges. It is vital that you reach out to an experienced bank fraud lawyer who can help you mount a strong defense.

How Can a Bank Fraud Lawyer Help?

When you are looking to hire a bank fraud lawyer, you are going to want someone you can rely on and trust implicitly. A defense lawyer won’t judge your situation. Their only job is to provide you with the strongest possible defense and advocate for your innocence in a court of law. There are many different ways that a bank fraud lawyer can help you and your case. Here are some of the qualities you may want to prioritize:

• Strong defense. Above all, when you are facing federal bank fraud charges, you want to hire a lawyer who can provide you with a strong defense strategy. Without a strong defense, there is a very strong likelihood that you will lose your case. A good lawyer can help you put together that defense and work hard to ensure you are able to fight the charges being made against you.
• Plea deals. Unfortunately, there may come a time when the prosecution’s case against you is simply too strong to counter. When that happens, your strongest course of action may be to negotiate a plea deal. In a plea deal, you plead guilty to a lesser charge in order to avoid a conviction on the major ones. Your lawyer can negotiate this deal for you in an effort to reduce the charges and even reduce the penalties.
• Extensive knowledge. If you are charged with federal bank fraud, you may not immediately know what to do next. The very first thing you should do is contact a lawyer, and the lawyer can then help you come up with a plan. When you hire a lawyer, you are also hiring someone with extensive knowledge of financial regulations and prosecutorial strategies that your lawyer has encountered before. This knowledge can help your case.
• Strong communication. A skilled bank fraud lawyer should have strong communication skills so they can clearly explain complex legal concepts to you. They can persuasively argue your case in court, and through effective negotiation can secure better settlements on your behalf. Additionally, their ability to listen and articulate your concerns builds trust and makes the legal process less stressful for you.

Examples of Bank Fraud

Any illegal activity that involves the use of financial services or institutions may be considered an act of bank fraud. Some forms of bank fraud are more common than others. Here are some of the various illegal activities that could be considered bank fraud if the charges are strong enough:

• • Check fraud. Check fraud occurs when an individual or business entity knowingly issues a check with insufficient funds, a forged signature, or false information. In Raleigh,
    North Carolina, writing a bad check can be considered a felony if the amount is excessive. If a bank clerk certifies the check before funds are available, it may be considered a federal offense.
  • Credit card fraud. Credit card fraud occurs when someone uses either a stolen or a fake credit card to access someone’s bank account, withdraw cash, or make purchases. Credit card fraud can be considered a federal crime if the alleged perpetrator crosses state lines with the fraudulent card or makes purchases online. If the fraudster were to obtain someone’s credit card information through a legitimate transaction, it’s called skimming.The Federal Trade Commission says approximately 101,427 people in 2023 had credit cards fraudulently taken out using their personal information.
    • Identity theft. Identity theft is one of the more common forms of bank fraud that occurs nationwide. This happens when somebody gets hold of someone else’s personal identifying information, such as their social security number or bank account numbers. They may use this information to open new accounts in someone else’s name, take out bank loans, or pretend to be another person. Identity theft is a federal crime.
    • Phishing scams. Phishing scams are becoming more common every day, particularly in the workplace. In a phishing scam, a fraudster uses email to try to trick unsuspecting victims into giving up their personal information, such as passwords or bank numbers. The goal is to use the facade of a legitimate business to manipulate people into thinking they are protecting their information. Phishing scams are prosecutable under federal wire fraud laws.
    • Money laundering. Money laundering is the act of moving illegal funds through legitimate business channels to disguise their origin. Criminal organizations or individuals often use money laundering to protect their ill-gotten investments. It is considered a federal crime and is often linked to organized crime, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and bank fraud.

FAQs

Can You Take Legal Action Against Someone for Bank Fraud?

Yes, you can take legal action against someone for engaging in bank fraud. While certain federal agencies will likely handle the criminal case, you are more than welcome to seek compensation against a bank in civil court for misusing your funds, charging unfair fees, or giving out your personal information without your consent. It is up to you to decide how you want to seek justice if someone involves you or your money in a bank fraud scam.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Bank Fraud Charge?

No, you are not required by law to hire a lawyer for a bank fraud charge. Charges of bank fraud are very serious and it is recommended that you seek out and hire legal counsel for your defense. If you lose your case, you are looking at potentially significant prison time on top of outrageous fines. A lawyer who is well-versed in the legalities of bank fraud could considerably help to reduce your charges or get them dismissed altogether.

What Happens to Someone Who Commits Bank Fraud?

For someone who commits bank fraud and is then convicted of the charges, the penalties can be severe. In many cases, a bank fraud conviction could result in prison time and substantial fines. The seriousness of the consequences may depend on the details of the case. With a strong defense, they may be able to fight the charges or even reduce the sentence.

Do Banks Actually Investigate Fraud?

Yes, banks investigate fraud. Under federal law, banks are required to investigate allegations of fraud. If the investigation uncovers evidence of fraud, banks may contact law enforcement, freeze certain accounts, or issue refunds. Banks largely investigate fraud allegations to protect their customers and their reputations. Allegations of fraud may be bad for business, and every bank needs to be federally compliant.

Reach Out to an Experienced Bank Fraud Lawyer Today

Dealing with charges of bank fraud on your own can be frightening and overwhelming. You may not know what your next step is, or even how to defend yourself. It is vital that you reach out to an experienced bank fraud lawyer who can take control of your case and provide you with a strong defense strategy. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared for your day in court.

The legal team at the W. James Payne Law Firm can help you put together a plan to defend yourself and fight the charges being made against you. We can assist in building a strong case, gathering evidence that supports you, and protecting your interests. Contact us to speak with a valued team member today about how we can help.