Georgetown Fraud Lawyers

Skilled Defense Against Fraud Charges

Facing fraud charges can be a frightening and stressful experience. They may be investigated and prosecuted at a state or federal level, involving agencies such as the FBI or the IRS. Depending on the value of alleged fraud and the circumstances, a conviction may result in severe penalties, including significant fines, restitution, and years or decades of imprisonment. 

At Winters & Chidester, our experienced Georgetown fraud attorneys are dedicated to providing knowledgeable criminal defense representation to help you navigate the complexities of your case. Founding attorneys James Winters and Veronica Chidester are former prosecutors with an invaluable understanding of how the other side works. We stop at nothing to defend our clients’ rights.

“Even the judge told me, ‘I need to thank my lawyer.’” - Tj C.

If you are dealing with fraud allegations, call (512) 961-4555 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a fraud lawyer in Georgetown.

Texas Fraud Charges: Types & Penalties

A white collar crime, fraud involves deceitful practices intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain. 

Fraud offenses encompass a wide range of activities, such as:

• Credit Card Fraud: Unauthorized use of another person's credit card information.
• Identity Theft: Illegally obtaining and using someone else's personal data.
• Insurance Fraud: Filing false insurance claims to receive benefits.
• Bank Fraud: Engaging in schemes to defraud financial institutions.
• Mail and Wire Fraud: Using mail or electronic communications to carry out fraudulent activities.
• Healthcare Fraud: Submitting false claims or misrepresentations to health insurance providers or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
• Mortgage Fraud: Providing false information or omitting crucial details on mortgage applications to obtain loans under false pretenses.
• Securities Fraud: Engaging in deceptive practices in the stock or commodities markets, such as insider trading or providing false information to investors.
• Tax Fraud: Willfully falsifying information on tax returns to evade paying the correct amount of taxes.
• Computer or Cyber Fraud: Using computers, the internet, or electronic systems to commit fraud, including phishing schemes and hacking.
• Real Estate Fraud: Misrepresenting information related to property sales or rentals to deceive buyers, sellers, or lenders.
• Investment Fraud: Deceptive practices involving investments, such as Ponzi schemes or pyramid schemes, promising high returns with little risk.
• Benefit Fraud: Misrepresenting eligibility or circumstances to receive unemployment, disability, or other government benefits.

These offenses can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on factors like the amount of money involved and prior criminal history. They may also be charged at a state or federal level, depending on whether state lines were crossed, the government was targeted, and other factors. 

The penalties for fraud vary considerably based on the value of losses. In Texas, fraud valued at $30,000 to $50,000 may be punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison. Wire fraud involving a financial institution, a federal crime, may be punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. With so much at stake, hiring a Georgetown fraud defense lawyer could not be more important.