In Orlando and the rest of the state of Florida, a person is guilty of fraudulent use of a credit card if they deliberately use a credit card they stole and forged the owner’s name or claimed to have had permission to use it. Anyone who is accused of credit card fraud should have an Orlando credit card fraud lawyer defending them as soon as possible after discovering they are under investigation for fraud. These are serious charges that can have lasting effects.
Credit card fraud can take many forms. Some of the more common examples of fraud include the following:
The crime of credit card fraud can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor based on the circumstances and the value of the things fraudulently purchased. However, there are two chief types of defenses that can be used against fraud charges:
There are various penalties for fraudulent use of a credit card in the state of Florida. They depend on the circumstances surrounding the situation, such as how many times a credit card was used throughout six months’ time and the amount spent on the card.
For a misdemeanor credit card fraud offense, purchases are limited to under $100 and the card is used only once. Penalties for a misdemeanor include the following:
A felony charge of credit card fraud is more serious and is given when the card was used more than twice and purchases greater than $100 were made. Penalties for a third-degree felony in Florida include the following:
A conviction for fraud can have lifelong consequences that will follow you well after you serve the immediate sentence. Even if you are not convicted, these charges will appear on your criminal record. Any employer who runs a background check will likely set your application aside the moment they discover your criminal past. At The Umansky Law Firm, our Orlando credit card fraud lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience practicing criminal law. We are former prosecutors that provide a unique perspective and close, personal attention to each case. Call or reach out to us online for a free case review.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys