How Common is Federal Credit Card Fraud?
White-collar crimes can take many different forms, including many different types of fraud. One frequently prosecuted form of fraud is credit card fraud, especially in relation to 21st-century technology that has made identity theft, hacking, and other computer-related crimes common in our society. Credit card fraud is a type of offense that can result in charges under federal law or state law, and a person may be prosecuted under both federal and state law. This is also one type of fraud offense that often coincides with other fraud-related charges, such as charges concerning wire fraud, computer fraud, and theft.
Just how common are federal credit card fraud charges? And if you are being investigated or ultimately charged with this type of fraud or another federal fraud offense, what type of consequences are you likely to face? Our federal fraud defense attorneys in Tampa can provide you with more information.
Recent Statistics on Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud is among the most frequently prosecuted federal fraud offenses, and as the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) underscores, a majority of the prosecutions actually take place in Florida. In fact, the top five federal districts for credit card prosecutions included two in Florida: the Southern District of Florida (with the most federal credit card prosecutions in the country) and the Middle District of Florida. More than 75 percent of individuals who face credit card fraud charges are male, and the average age of a person convicted of credit card fraud under federal law is 34. More than half had no “little or no prior criminal history.”
How many prosecutions occur each year? The data suggests nearly 68,000 cases are reported, and more than 500 federal convictions for credit card fraud occur annually. Data suggests that number has increased in recent years.
Whether you are facing federal credit card charges in one of Florida’s federal courts or in another federal court elsewhere in the country, or you are facing charges under the Florida Statutes, it is critical to have a defense attorney assisting you. These are extremely serious charges that can have life-altering consequences in the event of a conviction, including prison time and serious monetary penalties, which we will discuss in more detail below.
Sentencing Data on Credit Card Fraud and Related Charges
What are the common sentences for a federal credit card conviction? According to the USSC, nearly 90 percent of individuals convicted of credit card fraud are sentenced to a term of imprisonment, with the average prison sentence totaling 28 months.
That average prison time is actually below the average guideline minimum, which is more than 30 months. For cases involving substantial monetary losses, the consequences tend to be more severe.
Contact a Tampa Fraud and Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Today for Assistance with the Credit Card Fraud Charges You Are Facing
Whether you are being investigated for credit card fraud or facing charges, you will want to do everything you can to avoid a conviction. The data suggests that, if you are convicted, even for a relatively small monetary amount, you will be facing prison time. An experienced Tampa federal fraud and white collar defense attorney at the Law Offices of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. can discuss the details of your case with you today and can help you with a defense strategy that is tailored to the facts of your case.
Source:
ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/research-and-publications/quick-facts/Credit_Card_Fraud_FY16.pdf
