Michigan Credit Card Fraud Lawyers
Michigan Credit Card Fraud Charges
Michigan’s Fraudulent Use of a Financial Transaction Device Laws
Credit card fraud involves various types of unlawful conduct relating to financial transaction devices (e.g. a credit card, debit card or gift card). The penalties vary depending upon the specific conduct, but all credit card fraud charges are serious offenses. If you hope to avoid jail, you need an experienced credit card fraud defense attorney. Whether you are being investigated or have already been charged with credit card fraud, Jeffrey Buehner has the knowledge, experience and trial skills you need to properly defend a credit card fraud case.
Don’t let a Michigan credit card fraud conviction impact your career, your reputation and peace of mind. We can help you put this incident behind you so that you can move on with your life. If you’ve been charged with felony credit card fraud, give us a call for a free consultation with an experienced Michigan retail fraud defense attorney. Call (248) 865-9640 or fill out our Free Consultation form.
Stealing, Retaining or Using a Financial Transaction Device without Consent
One of the more common forms of credit card fraud is stealing, retaining or using a credit card without the cardholder’s consent. This is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, fines, costs and restitution.
Each unauthorized credit card charge is a separate felony regardless of the amount charged. Three unauthorized credit charges for $5 each can result in three separate felony charges. And if the credit card was stolen while inside a building, a separate felony charge of larceny in a building may get tacked on. Multiple felonies can have an adverse impact at sentencing.
Remember this: anything you say can and will be used against you. Don’t try to talk your way out of it. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that things will ‘go easier’ if you confess to the police – they won’t. Call Mr. Buehner before you make any statements to the police, a loss prevention officer or anyone investigating credit card fraud.
Other Forms of Michigan Credit Card Fraud Charges:
Using a stolen credit card, debit card, or gift card to make purchases or withdraw currency is what most people associate with credit card fraud, but fraud can also occur in the following cases:
- Stealing, Removing, Retaining, or Secreting Another’s Financial Transaction Device
- Possession of Another’s Financial Transaction Device with Intent to Use, Deliver, Circulate or Sell
- Delivery, Circulation, or Sale of Wrongly Held or Obtained Financial Transaction Device
- Fraud, Forgery, Material Alteration, Simulation or Counterfeiting of a Credit Card
- Opening a credit card in someone else’s name without permission
- Using credit card information to make purchases without physically having the card
- Improperly using your own credit card
- Knowingly using a canceled credit card
Depending on the situation, a purchase is sometimes not required for an action to be considered credit card fraud. A Michigan credit card fraud attorney can better determine the causes of any charges placed against you, and how to combat them.
Penalties for Michigan Credit Card Fraud
Per Michigan Penal Code (750.157n), the penalties for committing credit card fraud or a related offense are severe. You may face prison time of up to four years, hefty fines, and restitution payments. The severity of penalties increases with multiple fraud offenses. Our Michigan credit card fraud attorneys will work to reduce or eliminate your penalties.
Our Michigan Credit Card Fraud Lawyers Can Help
You are presumed innocent and the burden is upon the prosecutor to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt – the highest legal standard under the law. We will hold the prosecutor to that high legal standard. We will commit the time and resources necessary to thoroughly examine your case for any potential defenses. With over 20 years of experience trying criminal cases, you can rest assured that if there is a weakness in the prosecutor’s case, Mr. Buehner will find it and use it to your advantage.
Common Michigan Credit Card Fraud Questions
What are some of the most common types of credit card fraud under Michigan law?
Credit card fraud comes in a number of forms. Several examples of the most common types include stealing an FTD or possessing an altered FTD, possessing an FTD with intent, forgery of FTD, use of FTD in excess limits or funds, and use of a revoked or canceled FTD.
What will happen if I’m convicted of credit card fraud in Michigan?
A credit card fraud conviction can change your life in a number of ways. You may face large fines and jail time. In addition, you might be ordered to complete community service, come across child custody issues, deal with immigration or citizenship problems, be ineligible for federal student loans, struggle to find affordable, safe housing, and more.
Why should I seek legal representation?
A highly trained and experienced Michigan credit card fraud lawyer can review the evidence against you and determine whether it was legally obtained. If possible, they’ll show that you didn’t have knowledge of the other person’s FTD or criminal intent for possessing it. Their goal will be to fight for the best possible outcome in your unique situation.
Guidance, Experience & Confidence for Your Michigan Credit Card Fraud Case
As previously noted above, Michigan law handles credit card fraud under the category of “financial transaction devices,” which also includes debit cards, rebate cards, gift cards, and even account numbers, PIN numbers, and electronic funds transfers. Each of these different types of “financial transaction devices” are used differently by consumers; this adds to the confusion in many cases involving alleged fraudulent use.
Jeffrey Buehner is a Skilled Michigan Credit Card Fraud Defense Lawyer
It is this confusion that can sometimes cause honest citizens to be accused of a crime. Do not trust your future and your reputation to just any Michigan criminal defense attorney. Not all of them have the knowledge and expertise to handle credit card fraud charges in our state. Jeffrey Buehner has this expertise, and the experience to know just how to frame your defense and protect your rights and good name before any Michigan fraud-related accusations. Don’t settle for less than the best.
Let Our Lawyers Protect Your Rights and Reputation From Michigan Credit Card Fraud Charges
Even if the Michigan Credit Card Fraud case against you is strong, there may be many ways to reduce the impact of such charges. A good criminal defense attorney knows how to persuade prosecutors and judges to find a resolution that doesn’t destroy a person’s life. People make mistakes and shouldn’t be judged by an isolated error in judgment. Mr. Buehner has successfully negotiated plea agreements and sentencing agreements that have helped his clients avoid jail and in many cases, kept their criminal records clean.
If you’ve been charged with any type of financial transaction device crime or credit card fraud, don’t take chances with your freedom and your future. Put Michigan criminal defense lawyer Jeffrey Buehner’s experience to work for you. Call (248) 865-9640 for a phone consultation or simply fill out our consultation form.