NYC Credit Card Fraud Attorney

Credit Card Fraud Charges

Credit card fraud falls under the jurisdiction of federal law, as it often crosses state lines and national boundaries. The internet provides a global platform for transactions, increasing the potential for these crimes to occur on an international scale. Whether the fraud involves using another person's credit card or misusing one’s own, illegal credit card use is frequently scrutinized and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of its white-collar crime division. If you have been accused of credit card fraud or are under investigation, it is critical to contact a New York City criminal defense lawyer immediately.

With the rise of internet commerce and international credit card use, law enforcement agencies have heightened their focus on fraud, identity theft, and other white-collar crimes. Both state and federal authorities have expanded their efforts to detect, prevent, and prosecute credit card misuse. If you are facing allegations or an investigation for credit card fraud, obtaining experienced legal counsel as early as possible is essential to protect your rights. Swift action can help prevent unlawful searches and asset seizures. With a committed legal team advocating on your behalf, it may be possible to prevent your case from moving forward due to insufficient evidence.

What Is Considered Credit Card Fraud?

There are many different forms of credit card fraud. In some cases, it may be as simple as the physical theft of a credit card; in others, it may involve the manipulation of account information.

Below, we explain some of the most common forms of credit card fraud:

- Stolen Credit Cards – Credit cards are physically taken, and the associated account becomes compromised. Until the cardholder reports the theft to the issuing company, the card can typically be used for physical purchases. Even after reporting, the stolen card may still be used for transactions where the card is not required to be physically present, such as online or over the phone. In such cases, merely knowing the card number may be enough to complete a transaction.
- Identity Theft – This can occur in several ways. One method involves using someone’s personal information to open a fraudulent account in their name. Another form involves account takeover, in which the perpetrator uses stolen information to gain control of an existing account.
- Skimming – This has become a widespread problem at ATMs and gas pumps across the country. Skimming involves capturing credit card data during what appears to be a legitimate transaction. A common method of carrying out this fraud is by installing a device known as a "skimmer" onto a card reader. This device collects the credit card information from each swiped card without the user’s knowledge.

If you have been accused of committing any form of credit card fraud—whether it’s one of the examples listed above or another type—you need an aggressive lawyer you can rely on. The FBI takes allegations of fraud very seriously and aggressively investigates those suspected of committing such crimes. While these efforts aim to protect the public, they can also result in false accusations and wrongful arrests.