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Fraud is the act of intentionally deceiving someone for the purpose of personal gain (usually financial) or to do intentional damage to someone else. There are many different types of fraud, and if you have been charged with fraud, you may be wondering what potential consequences may be. California Penal Code § 476 pertains to check fraud law. With check fraud, you may be charged if you altered checks, printed fictitious checks, or represented fake checks as genuine—all with the intent to defraud the system. This crime is what is known as a “wobbler,” meaning the charges could be filed as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the circumstances.
The penalties of a misdemeanor charge in this area could leave you incarcerated for up to a year in county jail and have to pay a fine of $1,000. On the other hand for a felony charge, you may face up to three years in a state prison and pay a fine of up to $10,000. The charges vary in severity depending on the depth and gravity of the crime and may be subjective. In all fraud cases, it is essential that you hire a top-rated criminal defense attorney at Okabe & Haushalter who can help you understand your charges and aggressively fight for your best interests.
Type of Fraud Charges
Click on the links below to find out more about some of the most common types:
- Consumer Fraud: Consumer Fraud Is Any Deceptive Practice That Results In Financial Or Other Loss For Consumers. This Is Generally Achieved In A Subversive Manner, Through What Seem To Be Normal Business Transactions. Consumer Fraud Can Be As Small As Knowingly Selling Someone A Defective Product, Or As Big As Stealing Someone’s Identity.
- Insurance Fraud: Insurance Fraud Is One Of The Most Common Types Of Fraud And Will Likely Be Aggressively Pursued By Law Enforcement Since It Costs Insurance Companies Billions Of Dollars Every Year. Insurance Fraud Is Any Fraudulent Act Committed With The Express Intent Of Receiving A Payment From An Insurance Company. Anything From Exaggerating An Injury To Faking A Car Accident May Be Considered Insurance Fraud.
- Healthcare Fraud: Healthcare Fraud Is A Type Of Fraud That Is Perpetrated By Healthcare Providers In Order To Get More Money From Their Patients’ Insurance Companies. This May Include Billing The Insurance Companies For Higher Services And Procedures That Were Never Actually Done, Services And Procedures That Were More Expensive Than The Ones That Were Done, Or Even Performing A Procedure On A Patient That Is Unnecessary.
- Medicaid Fraud: Similar To Healthcare Fraud, Medicaid Fraud Is Usually Perpetrated By Healthcare Providers In Order To Get Money For Services Or Procedures That Were Never Rendered. Because Medicaid Is Provided By The Government, Medicaid Fraud Costs The Taxpayers Millions Of Dollars Every Year. This Kind Of Fraud Is Also Common Among The Owners Or Operators Of Nursing Homes.
- Medicare Fraud: Medicare Fraud Is When Healthcare Providers Bill Medicare For Supplies Or Services That Were Never Actually Ordered Or Given To The Patients. This Type Of Fraud Is Harshly Punished In The United States Because It Costs The Taxpayers A Lot Of Money Each Year. Medicare Fraud Is Usually Perpetrated By Padding A Patient’s Bill With More Procedures And Medications Than They Actually Received.
- Mortgage Fraud: Mortgage Fraud Is When Someone Lies Or Omits Something On A Loan Application In Order To Get A Larger Loan Than They Would Be Otherwise Afforded. Mortgage Fraud Is A Federal Crime, Though, With The Housing Crisis Of The Past Few Years, Some States Are Now Aiding In The Prosecution Of Mortgage Fraud. This Is Associated With Other Crimes, Such As Money Laundering, And Can Be Punished With Up To 30 Years In Prison.
Call Now for a Free Review of Your Case
If you have been charged with any type of fraud, a top-rated attorney from our firm can help you with your defense. Fraud is a crime that federal law enforcement takes very seriously; if you want to avoid a possible conviction and jail time, you need a defense attorney you can count on. a conviction could have a devastating impact on your career, your reputation, and your future. Is that something you want to risk? Do not settle for second best! Your choice of representation could make all the difference and be the deciding factor between freedom and conviction.
Contact Okabe & Haushalter to discuss your charges and possible defense strategies.