Credit Card Fraud Solicitors
Being arrested for, or charged with, credit card fraud can be very serious, with the potential for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if you are convicted. Ensuring you receive specialist legal advice from the outset is essential to ensure your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of securing a favourable outcome.
Our expert credit card fraud defence lawyers can advise and represent you from the point of arrest through to charge and prosecution, giving you sympathetic, expert, and highly practical support every step of the way.
With our particular experience in handling credit card fraud cases, we can present your side to the best possible effect, helping you to avoid charges if possible and to secure the best available outcome if prosecution cannot be avoided.
Get in touch
Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?
- 1000's of Cases Dropped
- 24/7 Emergency Phonelines
- 100's of Years Combined Experience
- Read all Reviews
Recent Cases
There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.
While you can choose to be represented by the duty solicitor when you are arrested, we strongly recommend using our specialist fraud defence lawyers to ensure no detail is overlooked and that every possible angle of defence is considered from the earliest stage.
You should never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.
Our credit card fraud solicitors provide:
- 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
- Representation anywhere in England or Wales
- Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
- Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)
How can we help?
Common questions
We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.
How quickly do you respond?
We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.
Can you get cases dropped?
Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.
We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you.
Have you won any awards?
OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED -
"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".
Do you offer free consultations?
Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about –
- Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
- Public and private funding benefits.
- Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
- An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
- Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
- The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
- Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
- Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
- Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
- If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
- This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
- Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.
Consultations do not apply to the following cases –
- If we do not intend to take the case on.
- Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
- In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
- Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
- The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
- The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
- In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
- If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
- If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance.
- If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
- If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
- To businesses.
- Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
- Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
- Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
- Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
- Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
- If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
- If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.
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:
- The level of harm caused, intended or risked (i.e. the financial losses experienced by the victim or victims).
- 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.
How can we help?
Useful Information
- How can I get the CPS to drop the charges against me?
- How can I get the police to drop charges against me?
- How can I get the police to caution me?
- Police Stop and Search UK
- Pre-charge bail - What You Need to Know
- Read our Police Station Advice Guide
- Recovering Your Property From The Police
- Released Under Investigation - What You Need to Know
- Types of Evidence used in Law
- Voluntary Police Interview - What You Need to Know
- What is a 'No further action' letter?
- What to expect in Police Custody
- Why Choose a Private Solicitor for a Magistrates' or Crown Court Case?
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- Umar Zeb
- Senior Partner - Head of Private Client Crime
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- Lisa Nicol
- Managing Partner - Head of Crime & Serious Cases
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- Kirit Khushal
- Senior Partner Personal Injury
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- James O'Donnell
- Partner Crime
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- Sanjay Cholera
- Partner Crime Advocacy
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- Ramandeep Rai
- Partner Family