All along the coastal shorelines of Florida, and in particular in southern Florida, the most thought of crime is probably drug related. Whether this perception is due to Miami Vice or some other pop culture theories, in recent years it is simply not true. As it turns out, Florida is more of a hotbed of white collar crime than one might think. This information makes it important to know what to do if you or a loved one are charged with a crime.
Recent reports show that the top three most popular crimes in southern Florida include the following types of fraudulent activity:
- Mortgage fraud through identity theft: this is a crime that is committed by a person posing as another, in order to obtain mortgage lending. The victim may seem to be a faceless mortgage company with deep enough pockets to withstand the financial blow, but the real victim of this type of crime is the person who has their identity stolen. The hoops that have to be jumped through to clear up an issue of identity theft are many, and can consume a person’s times. It is also common for a victim of identity theft to learn of the crime well after it has taken place, and a significant amount of financial and reputation damage may have already taken place.
- Medicare fraud: making false statements in order to obtain the benefits of Medicare is a crime. The cost to healthcare providers and to the Medicare system itself are the motivating factors in attempts to eliminate this type of criminal activity.
- Tax identity theft: much like mortgage identity theft, a tax identity crime is one where a person’s data with the IRS is stolen, either by filing a fraudulent return, or by accepting a return that does not belong to you.
The financial fallout from white collar crimes is so high that authorities have started devoting a substantial amount of resources to fighting these types of crimes. In order to defend charges along these lines, you need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Careful analysis and a complete analysis of the case must be made in order to develop an effective defense, and we have the know-how to initiate that type of investigation. If you have been arrested or charged for a white collar crime, call our office for help.
If you have questions about criminal cases, call our office for answers. Call an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. Your first visit is a free initial consultation.