Bank Fraud / Financial Institution Fraud
Most banks in the United States are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). When people commit alleged acts for fraud against banks, they can face federal charges.
Federal agencies often have significantly more resources than their local or state counterparts. As a result, any alleged attempt to illegally obtain money, assets, or other property from a financial institution can lead to extremely serious penalties.
Lawyer for Bank Fraud in San Antonio, TX
If you believe that you are currently under investigation or you have already been arrested for allegedly committing an act of fraud against a financial institution in Texas, you should not delay in seeking legal representation. Goldstein & Orr aggressively defends clients accused of white collar crimes in San Antonio and surrounding areas of Bexar County.
Our San Antonio criminal defense attorneys have been fighting to protect the rights of people throughout the Lone Star State since 1968. They can provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case as soon as you call (210) 226-1463 or complete an online contact form to take advantage of a free consultation.
Bexar County Financial Institution Fraud Information Center
- When can a person be charged with committing bank fraud?
- What are the possible consequences if convicted?
- Where can I learn more about fraud involving financial institutions?
Types of Bank Fraud in Texas
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1344, bank fraud involves a person knowingly executing or attempting to execute a scheme or artifice to either:
- defraud a financial institution; or
- obtain any of the moneys, funds, credits, assets, securities, or other property owned by, or under the custody or control of, a financial institution, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises.
Financial institution fraud can involve any one of a number of illegal activities. People can be charged with this crime for any of the following:
- Accounting fraud;
- Booster checks;
- Check kiting;
- Credit or debit card fraud;
- Depositing empty ATM envelopes;
- Embezzlement;
- False or misleading appraisals;
- Falsifying information on loan applications;
- Forging or using counterfeit financial documents;
- Forging signatures;
- Fraudulent loans;
- Identity theft;
- Impersonation;
- Money laundering;
- Phishing operations or other internet fraud;
- Stolen checks;
- Theft, forgery, alteration, or misuse of checks;
- Unauthorized trading;
- Uninsured deposits;
- Using straw borrowers; or
- Wire transfer fraud.
Penalties for Financial Institution Fraud in San Antonio
Federal law states that a conviction for bank fraud can result in up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1 million. This penalty, however, is only for a single count of bank fraud.
If alleged offenders are accused of using multiple stolen or altered checks, for example, then they could face multiple counts of bank fraud. Additionally, people can face charges for other crimes related to the underlying alleged financial institution fraud offense.
The sentences imposed in federal bank fraud cases must generally adhere to the standards established under the United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines. While complying with the guidelines is optional, a court must still consider the nature of the crime and the alleged offender’s criminal history.
Texas Resources for Bank Fraud
Texas Department of Banking — The Department of Banking is an agency of the State of Texas that operates under the oversight of the Texas Finance Commission. Its major functions are to charter, license, or register specific entities, including possibly regulating and examining. You can learn more about the agency on this website and also review various state laws and regulations established under the Texas Constitution, Finance Code, the Health and Safety Code, and Title 7 of the Texas Administrative Code.
San Antonio Regional Office2700 NE Loop 410
Suite 616
San Antonio, Texas 78217
(210) 271-3923
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Financial Institution Fraud — The FBI has classified Financial Institution Fraud (FIF) as a Tier One strategic priority within its strategic plan. You can learn more about how the federal agency handles these types of investigations—which are described as being “among the most time-consuming white collar cases”—on this section of the FBI website. Elsewhere on the website, you can find various reports published by the agency, crime statistics, and scam alerts.
Lawyer for Financial Institution Fraud in San Antonio, Texas
Were you arrested or do you think that you could be under investigation for alleged bank fraud in Texas? Do not make any kind of statement to police without legal counsel.
Gerry Goldstein and Cynthia Orr of Goldstein & Orr are both Board Certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Call (210) 226-1463 or submit an online contact form to have our criminal defense attorneys in San Antonio review your case during a free, confidential consultation.
