What are Common Fraud Disputes?

Accusations of fraud can involve falsification of business records, deceptive business practices, or online scams that target vulnerable people.

The term fraud can refer to a wide range of actions, but what they all have in common is that the fraudster is attempting to present false information as true or fake items as genuine in order to benefit financially at someone else’s expense. Georgia law recognizes mail fraud and wire fraud as criminal offenses, but other financial crimes that involve a combination of lying and stealing, such as money laundering or identity theft, could conceivably also be described as fraud. Simply being a poseur or an unreliable narrator does not make you guilty of fraud; fraud only occurs when the logical consequence of the lies is someone suffering financial losses. Not all incidents of fraud involve criminal penalties; some of them can be resolved in civil cases. The Atlanta white-collar crimes defense attorneys at Zimmerman & Associates can help you if you are being charged with fraud.

Fraud Allegations and Business Disputes

Parties to business agreements make all kinds of promises that they are not sure if they can keep, but this is not fraud; anyone who has been in business long enough knows that things do not usually go according to plan. If someone signs a business agreement in bad faith, the other party can sue them for breach of contract and allege fraud. The injured party can recover damages in the amount of the financial losses they incurred because of the fraud.

Consumer Fraud

When businesses engage in deceptive business practices, consumers can sometimes get their money back, and the Federal Trade Commission can also impose fines on businesses that defraud customers. Consumers harmed by dishonest business practices can complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or file class-action lawsuits.

Criminal Cases Involving Fraud

Georgia law categorizes fraud as either mail fraud or wire fraud, depending on the means of communication used to commit the fraud. If the fraud took the form of written notices sent by mail, then it is mail fraud. By contrast, wire fraud involves communication devices that theoretically include wires, such as telephones and computers. By this logic, “wire fraud” is an outdated term, considering how much communication takes place through cell phones and wireless Internet connections.

In some cases, fraudulent actions that occur in a business context can result in criminal charges. For example, someone who uses company funds for personal expenses and then falsifies the company’s records could face criminal charges for embezzlement. Someone who falsifies records to make it look like stolen money is the proceeds of a legitimate business could be charged with money laundering.

Contact Zimmerman & Associates About Fraud Cases in Georgia

An Atlanta criminal defense attorney can represent you if you are facing criminal charges for financial crimes such as wire fraud, mail fraud, forgery, counterfeiting, money laundering, or embezzlement. Contact Zimmerman & Associates in Norcross, Georgia, to set up a free consultation.