A conviction of any type of white collar crime can result in penalties that will alter the direction of your future. You could spend time behind bars and suffer other consequences that will affect your long-term opportunities, personal freedom and reputation. Bank fraud is a common type of white collar crime, and if you are facing these charges, you need to know what you are up against.

Bank fraud is a criminal act that involves causing financial harm to a banking institution. It can take many different forms, but it is always done with the intention of financial gain. If convicted of this federal offense, you could face up to 30 years in prison. You would be wise to take your case seriously and seek experienced defense counsel as soon as possible.

What is bank fraud?

White collar crime typically does not involve causing another person physical harm, but the federal government takes these cases very seriously. Bank fraud involves executing or attempting to execute the following:

• Defrauding a banking institution
• Using fraudulent methods or pretenses to obtain money, assets, credit or any other type of property under the control of a banking institution 

While there are many different types of banking fraud, some of the most common include using stolen checks, forging checks, impersonating a bank online, changing the information on checks and adding information to a check. It is also bank fraud to provide false information to a bank for some type of financial gain. This frequently happens on mortgage applications and credit applications. 

Credit card fraud

Using fraudulent pretenses to obtain a credit card is often considered bank fraud because credit card companies often have close ties to banks. Even lying about a seemingly minor detail such as income amount or employment history could result in detrimental legal consequences. The government can choose to prosecute you over something that may seem trivial on any type of financial applications. 

Your future at stake

If you are facing charges of bank fraud, it is essential for your future interests to seek defense counsel from a South Carolina attorney experienced in complex white collar cases. It is beneficial to seek this assistance as soon as possible after an arrest or the onset of an investigation. An assessment of your case can help you understand how to fight back against these charges and preserve your future interests.