Learn About Fraud
Learn About Fraud
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Fraud involves using a lie, deception, falsehood, or dishonesty in an attempt to gain a benefit. The states and the federal governments have identified many types of fraud as criminal.
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Federal law defines fraud as any intentional deception or misrepresentation used to benefit yourself or someone else.
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Wire Fraud: Laws and Penalties
The catch-all federal crime of wire fraud carries stiff penalties and applies to a broad range of fraud schemes involving interstate communications.
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Mortgage fraud is often a complicated crime that can involve both mortgage lenders and borrowers. It's estimated, for example, that about 10 percent of the nation's mortgage applications contain either mistaken or intentional omissions.
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Securities Fraud: Sentencing and Penalties
The term “security” is a broad term that includes numerous types of investments, such as municipal bonds, corporate stocks, bank notes, investment contracts, and more.
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The mail fraud statute, sometimes called the federal prosecutor's best friend, covers a broad range of fraudulent schemes committed using the mail systems. Learn how the law defines and penalizes acts of mail fraud—a felony under federal law.
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Contrary to the common idiom, crime often pays. It can pay so much, in fact, that people with illegally acquired funds often develop complicated plans to make it appear as if the money originated from a legal source—referred to as washing or laundering money.
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When people or organizations have more debts than they can manage, they sometimes file for bankruptcy in a federal bankruptcy court. When you file for bankruptcy, your creditors can no longer on their own try to sue you or collect your property to satisfy unpaid debts.
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Immigration Marriage Fraud Laws and Penalties
One of the primary goals of the U.S. immigration laws is to reunite families, including married couples. However, the apparent ease of obtaining a green card (U.S. lawful permanent residence) based on marriage has led to abuse. Couples regularly enter into sham marriages, for money or other benefits, in order to obtain a U.S. green card for the immigrant.
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Grifters, scammers, con artists, and swindlers are thieves and fraudsters who use a common playbook. Learn to spot grifting tactics and protect yourself.
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In order to make it easier to prosecute organized crime, in 1970 Congress passed the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law (RICO). Under RICO, it is a federal crime to participate in or make money from racketeering (organized, illegal activity).
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Federal Loan Fraud: Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans
For fraudulent acts relating to SBA and SBA-backed loan applications, prosecutors can seek criminal penalties for false statements to a federal agency, false statements in a loan application, bank fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud, among other federal crimes.
Tax Crimes
Tax Crimes
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Tax Fraud and Tax Evasion Laws and Penalties
Using fraudulent or illegal means to avoid paying taxes is generally referred to as tax fraud or tax evasion. Learn how federal tax law defines these crimes, and what sentences are possible for tax crimes.
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Laws on State Sales Tax Crimes
State sales tax crimes can occur with a business either fails to pay state sales tax or someone collects states sales taxes from customers without subsequently paying the tax to the state. In most areas both state as well as local taxes...
Identity Theft
Identity Theft
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Is Using a Fake ID Card Identity Theft?
Using a fake ID is a crime. How serious that crime is depends on where you commit it.
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Learn how states define and penalize identity theft crimes and gain insight into other common questions, such as: Will someone go to jail for an identity theft conviction? When is identity theft a felony?
Welfare Fraud
Welfare Fraud
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Welfare fraud carries serious penalties, including incarceration, repayment of funds, and suspension of benefits.
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Welfare Eligibility and Home Visits
Strict eligibility requirements apply to public welfare programs. To determine eligibility or continued eligibility for assistance, a local social services agency might schedule a home visit. What happens during a home visit? What rights does the applicant have?
Insurance & Healthcare Fraud
Insurance & Healthcare Fraud
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Insurance Fraud Laws and Penalties
Insurance fraud occurs when people deceive an insurance company in order to collect money to which they are not entitled. Penalties can be harsh, including jail time and large restitution orders.
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The unemployment insurance benefits program, commonly referred to as UI, is designed to provide people with an income when they are unable to find work, have been laid off, or are out of work because of factors out of their control. Each state has its own unemployment insurance benefits program that
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Health care fraud comes in many forms and carries stiff penalties under both federal and state laws.
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Embezzlement: Penalties and Sentencing
When you combine stealing and violating a special position of trust, you have the unique crime of embezzlement.
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Federal embezzlement laws target theft from the federal government or its money. Learn how quickly embezzling can add up to a federal felony and possible prison time.
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If someone gives me permission to sign their name, have I committed forgery?
Signing another's name with permission is not forgery, but be sure that you sign in a way that reveals the permission.
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Even a first offense on forgery charges can result in a felony conviction in Texas. Learn how the Texas Penal Code defines and penalizes forgery offenses.
