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Credit Card Fraud

Call Today: 559-691-6222

Do you need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Fresno? If you have been arrested or charged with credit card fraud, it is essential to obtain legal council for help right away.  

What is Credit Card Fraud?

Credit card fraud is when a credit or debit card is used in an unlawful manner, meaning it was stolen or illegally accessed, then used with fraudulent intent. This results in a loss to the owner of the credit or debit card. Credit card fraud includes the following:

  • Forging
  • Altering
  • Stealing
  • Publishing credit card or account information
  • Counterfeiting
  • Identity theft

Penalties for Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is a wobbler, meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. The penalties for credit card fraud can include imprisonment and if it involves the internet, it can be prosecuted federally. Cases prosecuted in federal court could face much more severe punishment.

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Let’s sit down one-on-one. I will review your case and your options for the best possible outcome.

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Penalties for Stolen Credit Cards

This can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the facts and your criminal history.

As a felony the penalties include:
  • Felony probation
  • Imprisonment
  • Up to $10,000 in fines
As a misdemeanor the penalties include:
  • Imprisonment
  • A maximum fine of $1,000
If a credit card was stolen but it wasn’t used, the penalties include:
  • Imprisonment, and
  • A maximum fine of $1,000

Penalties for Forging Credit Card Information

Forging credit card information is altering an actual credit card or debit card, creating a fake credit or debit card, and/or signing someone else’s name on a transaction without the credit or debit card owner’s authorization. Forgery can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

As a felony the penalties include:
  • Felony probation
  • Imprisonment
  • Up to $10,000 in fines
As a misdemeanor the penalties include:
  • Imprisonment
  • A maximum fine of $1,000
aggravated assault
Penalties for Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card or Account Information

Fraudulent use of a credit card or account information is when you knowingly use a stolen, altered, counterfeit, forged, expired, or revoked credit card with the intention of obtaining money or anything of value. The penalties for this crime depend on the amount of the item received. If the value is more than $950 then it is charged as grand theft. If the amount is less than $950 it is charged as petty theft.

Penalties for Counterfeiting Credit Cards

The penalties for counterfeiting credit cards vary depending on how it was counterfeited. The penalties include:

  • Imprisonment and/or
  • A fine up to $1,000 to $10,000

Legal Defenses for Credit Card Fraud

If you didn’t have fraudulent intent then you aren’t guilty of fraud. Even if you were unaware or made a mistake, if you weren’t intending to commit fraud then you can’t be guilty of fraud.

The prosecutor has to prove every element of a crime. For example, they have to prove that you knew a credit card was counterfeited when you used it.

Mistaken identity is very common in these cases. Perhaps you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, drove a similar car as the person who committed credit card fraud, or looked like the person who committed credit card fraud. An experienced lawyer knows how to get to the truth.

Have you been legally accused of committing credit card fraud? If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, it is essential to obtain legal council for help. It’s important to take your charges seriously. Don’t just hope for the best. Hire an attorney who understands your situation and the consequences you face.

Get Legal Help Today.
Phone: 559-691-6222
local criminal defense lawyer, closeup of fingerprints, hand, ink, criminal lawyer fresno

Your Defense Attorney for Credit Card Fraud Charges

I’m Mark A. Broughton and I’m here to fight for you. I have been a defense Attorney for 40+ years and have represented thousands of people accused of crimes. I have extensive experience representing citizens charged with White Collar Crimes such as Insurance FraudEmbezzlementMortgage Fraud, and Prescription Drug Fraud, to name a few.

10.0Mark A. Broughton
fresno lawyer

Your Defense Attorney for Credit Card Fraud Charges

I’m Mark A. Broughton and I’m here to fight for you. I have been a defense Attorney for 40+ years and have represented thousands of people accused of crimes. I have extensive experience representing citizens charged with White Collar Crimes such as Insurance FraudEmbezzlementMortgage Fraud, and Prescription Drug Fraud, to name a few.

10.0Mark A. Broughton
Mark A. BroughtonReviewsout of 23 reviews

About Mark Broughton:

Compassionate, highly experienced, exceptional reputation, ethical and honest:

Mark Broughton has been practicing law for over 40 years. He estimates that he has conducted over 200 jury trials – everything from DUIs, drug cases, sex cases, domestic violence, assaults, “three-strikes,” dozens of cases involving criminal street gangs, gun/deadly weapons, drive-by shootings, robberies, attempted murders, and murders, including special circumstance murder cases.

He has received many outright Not Guilty verdicts for his clients in all of these types of cases, including several murder cases – at one time between 2005-2007, the jury found his clients Not Guilty in four separate cases in a row.

Mark Broughton is qualified as a death penalty lawyer and is on the special circumstances/death penalty panel of attorneys in Fresno, California, where he is regularly appointed to special circumstances/death penalty murder cases by the Fresno County Superior Court.

Other Qualifications:
  • Certified Specialist Criminal Law, State Bar of California
  • Board of Trustees, State Bar of California
  • Chairman, Fresno County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

Mark Broughton enjoys close relationships with his clients.  He sees every individual’s situation with compassion and empathy and believes that every person has the right to a fair trial and is innocent until proven guilty.

Above all, he enjoys helping reunite his clients and their families during and after dealing with perhaps the most difficult time in their lives, going through the challenging criminal process with them.

Practice Areas

Related Areas of Practice:

Cybercrime

Fraud

Federal White Collar Crime

White Collar Theft

Medi-Cal Fraud

Check Fraud

Mortgage Fraud

Embezzlement

Cybercrime

Fraud

Federal White Collar Crime

White Collar Theft

Medi-Cal Fraud

Check Fraud

Mortgage Fraud

Embezzlement

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