Fairfax, VA Credit Card Fraud Defense Lawyers
Experienced Virginia Lawyers Defending Clients Against Credit Card Fraud Charges in Fairfax
Cases involving white collar crime can get complicated fast, including situations involving allegations of credit card fraud. If you have been arrested on suspicion of using a credit card for illicit gains, the best thing you can do is to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can. Depending on your situation, you could be charged with a felony, and you may face hard prison time if you are convicted.
At Robinson Law, PLLC, we defend clients against allegations of credit card fraud, and we have the resources, knowledge, and experience to secure the best possible outcome in your case. When you work with us, you will receive attention from a skilled attorney who will work with you to develop a sound defense tailored to your circumstances.
Understanding Charges of Credit Card Fraud
Under Virginia law, the following illegal acts constitute credit card fraud:
- Taking another person's credit card without his or her consent to obtain something of value. This includes stealing someone's credit card number and using it to make purchases without authorization.
- Knowingly using an expired or revoked credit card to obtain something of value under false pretenses.
- Seizing someone else's credit card information to enforce a debt.
Merchants can also be charged with credit card fraud for knowingly accepting payments from a customer who uses a lost, stolen, or unlawfully seized credit card. In other cases, a merchant could be charged with credit card fraud for a failure to provide an advertised good or service after a customer pays with a credit card.
How Is Credit Card Fraud Prosecuted?
The sentencing guidelines for a conviction of credit card fraud will depend on the value of the fraudulent gains. For credit card fraud in a six-month period involving a total amount of less than $1,000, you can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a jail sentence of up to a year and a possible $2,500 fine. For credit card fraud involving $1,000 or more in that same time frame, the crime is charged as a Class 6 felony, punishable by up to five years in prison (one year minimum) and/or a fine of no more than $2,500.
In addition to the crime of credit card fraud, you may face Class 6 felony charges for conspiring to commit credit card fraud with another person in Virginia. Conspiracy charges may apply even if no act of fraud occurred.
Defending Against Charges of Credit Card Fraud
The key element behind any charge of credit card fraud is intent. If the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that you went in with the intent to defraud another person or entity, then the case against you could be dismissed in court.
In many cases, this could boil down to an honest mistake. For instance, if you supplied goods and services as a merchant to a customer who was using a stolen credit card, you may have had no reason to believe that the transaction was illegitimate. Or in another case, you might have been using someone else's credit card with their implicit or explicit permission, without the intent to defraud.
At Robinson Law, PLLC, our lawyers can assess your situation to develop an optimal defense strategy, working to have your charges reduced or dismissed in court.
Meet With a Fairfax, Virginia Credit Card Fraud Attorney
Credit card fraud is a serious offense, especially if you are facing felony charges. At Robinson Law, PLLC, our Fairfax criminal defense lawyers are ready to defend you against allegations of fraud and other white collar crimes. To schedule a free consultation with our firm today, call us at 703-844-3746 or contact us online.

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