Credit Card Fraud Lawyers

Speak to our credit card fraud solicitors today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding credit card fraud, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

You can also email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.

Our expertise with credit card fraud charges

With over 45 years of experience in defending clients against all types of fraud charges, including credit card fraud, we have the skills and specialist expertise to provide a highly effective defence against even the most serious and complex cases.

Credit card fraud law is complex and the potential sentences for anyone found guilty of the offence can be severe. The importance of having highly experienced and specialist credit card fraud solicitors on your side is therefore essential.

Our criminal defence team includes several accredited police station representatives meaning we can provide advice and representation 24/7 for anyone arrested for credit card fraud.

Having secured positive outcomes for clients in both the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court on many occasions, our team can provide the strong representation you need at every stage of proceedings.

We also have established relationships with some of the country’s leading specialist fraud barristers, so we can also offer you access to the skills and expertise needed to get you the best available outcome.

If you are accused of credit card fraud, we understand how difficult a situation this is likely to be for you and your family. Our dedicated team of credit card fraud solicitors provide a close personal service to assist you with any issues you may be facing, or are likely to have a bearing on your case.

We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation and have also achieved Lexcel accreditation, reflecting the high standards of our legal practice.

As a testament to our expertise and high standard of client care, our credit card fraud solicitors frequently receive referrals and recommendations from clients who have been satisfied with our legal services. Our team have been well-established for over 45 years.

Common questions about credit card fraud offences

What is credit card fraud?

There are various types of credit card fraud, including:

• Using lost or stolen cards without their owner’s knowledge or consent
• Creating and using copies of a credit card (sometimes called credit card cloning)
• Stealing, selling or using people’s credit card details (i.e., the card holder’s name, card number, date of birth and address)
• Fraudulent credit card applications (e.g., applying for a card under someone else’s name without their knowledge)
• Misusing the credit card system through the use of ‘chargebacks’

Credit card fraud may be carried out by individuals acting alone or as part of a conspiracy to commit credit card fraud involving two or more people working together.

How do you prove credit card fraud?

For someone to be convicted of credit card fraud, prosecutors must be able to demonstrate that the cardholder was not involved in a specific transaction or series of transactions.

This will often mean relying on transaction data provided by bank investigators which would indicate that fraud has taken place. This could data such as time stamps, location data and IP addresses.

If the credit card is alleged to have been used in person by someone other than the cardholder, further evidence such as CCTV footage may be used by the prosecution.

What are the penalties for credit card fraud?

Credit card fraud will normally be prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006. However, where two or more people worked together to commit credit card fraud, they can be charged under the common law offence of Conspiracy to Defraud.

In either case, the maximum credit card fraud sentence is up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The actual sentence received will depend on two main factors:

1. The level of harm caused, intended or risked (i.e. the financial losses experienced by the victim or victims).
2. The role the defendant is alleged to have played in the crime (i.e., whether they played a leading role, a significant role or merely a peripheral role in the offence).

In addition to this, the final sentence handed out for credit card fraud is also likely to be influenced by the presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors.

What are my rights when arrested on suspicion of credit card fraud?

If you are arrested for or charged with a credit card fraud offence, you need to be clear about your legal rights; you must ensure that you avoid saying or doing anything which unintentionally undermines your defence.

If you are arrested for credit card fraud, please remember:

• You must be told the offence you are being arrested for by the arresting officer
• You do not have to answer any questions you are asked
• You should never answer police questions without a solicitor present

When arresting you for a credit card fraud offence, the police are required to caution you with the following words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court.  Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

You and/or your home or work address may be searched by the police for evidence.  Police search powers can be complex and you should seek advice.

Following a police interview for an offence related to credit card fraud, you may be:

• Charged with a specific offence
• Released under investigation
• Release with no further action

If you are charged with a fraud offence, you will either be released on bail or remanded in custody to await trial.

Pre-Charge Bail

If someone is released on pre-charge bail (also simply referred to as being released on bail), after being interviewed for credit card fraud then this means that the police will be continuing their investigation to gather more evidence before they are able to make a final charging decision. Whilst the police are making their decision they may impose bail conditions, such as restrictions on where you can go and requirements to attend the police station on a certain day.

To find out more in relation to pre charge bail please use the links provided below –

www.jdspicer.co.uk/site/blog/crime-fraud/precharge-bail-and-rui

www.jdspicer.co.uk/site/blog/crime-fraud/on-bail-but-not-charged-what-does-it-mean

www.jdspicer.co.uk/site/blog/crime-fraud/how-long-can-you-be-on-bail-without-charge-uk

Contact our credit card fraud lawyers now

For urgent specialist advice, immediate police station representation or to speak to us confidentially about a charge of credit card fraud or any other criminal matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

• Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office:  0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for credit card fraud

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert credit card fraud solicitors, as well as for immediate advice and representation.

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.