Financial crimes generally refer to financial fraud, carrying hefty legal fines and penalties. Economic fraud is routinely cited as being one of the fastest-growing forms of crime in the nation, and the State of South Carolina pays careful attention. If you’ve been accused of a financial crime, you can count on an experienced South Carolina financial crimes attorney to provide you with the professional legal guidance you need.
Theft
Theft refers to the act of taking something of value from someone else, which distinguishes it from fraud as a distinct type of financial crime. Theft charges are based on the value of the stolen goods, and fraud charges are considered a form of theft, but more complex legal intricacies are involved. The line determining if the theft offense will be charged as a misdemeanor or felony in South Carolina is $2,000. At this point, the charge is considered grand larceny, a felony.
While misdemeanors are less severe than felonies, the distinction is only relative. In other words, a misdemeanor charge carries serious legal and social consequences that can negatively affect your future far more than you may have bargained for.
Financial Fraud Can Take Many Forms
Financial crimes that involve fraud can take many forms.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement typically refers to the theft of funds from a business or employer. The person embezzling is often in a position of financial trust and takes advantage of that trust by confiscating funds for their own gain, which often occurs over time.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud involves the unauthorized use of a credit card or the theft of credit card information belonging to someone else. Stealing, using someone else’s credit card without their permission, or counterfeiting someone else’s credit card all qualify.
Money Laundering
Money laundering is the illegal process of concealing the origins of money obtained through wrongdoing, such as selling drugs, embezzlement, and engaging in corruption. This is typically achieved through a front organization, which converts the funds to make them more challenging to trace.
Mortgage Fraud
Mortgage fraud is the intentional use of misstatements, omissions, or misrepresentations to fund a home purchase, sell a property, or a loan secured by real property.
Tax Evasion
Tax evasion refers to any illegal attempt by an individual, a business, a corporation, or another tax-paying entity to avoid paying taxes. The crux of the charge is depriving the government of the revenue it is entitled to, and the consequences can be especially severe. While theft charges can include a violent component, such as when the charge reaches the level of burglary, fraud charges generally do not; instead, these charges relate to cheating or tricking others out of money. Financial fraud can be charged at the state or federal level.
Our Financial Crimes Lawyers Are on Your Side
The capable South Carolina financial crimes attorneys at Beasley Tomlinson Law welcome the opportunity to skillfully defend your rights while guiding your case toward a beneficial conclusion. Our office is conveniently located at 12 Whitsett Street, Greenville, SC 29601, and we proudly serve the communities of Greenville, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Easley, Simpsonville, Pickens, Greer, and Duncan – as well as all of Greenville County, Spartanburg County, Pickens County, and Florence County. Learn more about what we can do to help by calling us at 864-775-5787 or contacting us online today.
