What do I do if I am accused of fraud?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on February 02, 2026
If you have been accused of fraudulent activity or finance-based offences, the repercussions could be particularly severe. You should immediately make contact with trusted white collar crime solicitors in order to ensure that you are properly supported throughout the legal process and that your innocence may be proven.
How do you get accused of fraud?
In order for an individual to be convicted of criminal fraud, the prosecution must prove:
- There was a misrepresentation of a material fact;
- By an individual who knew the material fact was false;
- And intended to defraud;
- A person or entity who justifiably relied on the misrepresentation of fact; and.
Can you go to jail for false accusations?
In California, the crime of false accusations is a misdemeanor and you can be prosecuted for it. The penalties for giving false information to the police are up to six months in jail and possible fines. The person who made false accusations against you can go to jail for what they’ve done.
How can a lawyer help in a fraud case?
A legal professional will then help the person being accused of the fraudulent activity in winning the case. The lawyer will advise individuals to pull documents that will help prove that they did not act in a fraudulent way. Some documents that may be necessary are bank statements, credit card reports, and paychecks.
What happens if someone is accused of fraud?
The person or entity that was the targeted victim. The penalty may also be influenced by the attitude of the community and/or the court towards this type of crime. If the entity that was a victim of the fraud is the Federal Government, the charges may be brought under federal law instead of state law and may result in harsher penalties.
What should I do if I am accused of a crime?
Negotiate with the prosecutors – – If there is little or no evidence of wrongdoing on your part, your attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor and try to get the charges dropped or lessened, depending on the situation. Even after a false accusation has been dismissed, you may still need your attorney …
What to do if someone falsely accuses you?
The more information you can give your attorney, the better equipped he or she will be to: Deal with the accuser’s threats – – If an accuser is threatening to falsely report you to the police, your attorney may be able to convince the accuser of the error of his ways.
