Bank fraud is a highly serious offence that a wide variety of individuals and businesses can find themselves accused of. What may seem like a relatively minor instance of bending the facts when applying for a loan or opening an account can result in serious legal ramifications; in all instances of bank fraud, it’s absolutely essential that legal advice is sought at the earliest opportunity available. This way, your legal team can assess your situation with you and limit any further damages, while helping you to develop a legal defence that’s as effective as possible.
What is bank fraud?
Bank fraud is the offence of using illegal or dishonest means to get money or other assets from a bank of the customers of a bank. With the rising popularity of digital banking and increasingly complex banking arrangements, bank fraud can take many different forms. As a result, it’s highly important that your legal team has extensive experience in the area, so that they can provide you with the best possible legal defence available to you. Examples of bank fraud include:
- Using the false cover of a bank to get financial details of other individuals or institutions, such as through phishing scams
- Applying for loans in a fraudulent manner, hiding information to make your application appear more favourable
- Forging checks as part of a scheme to defraud either a bank or an individual
Sentencing for bank fraud
Bank fraud is a serious crime with serious legal repercussions, covered by the Fraud Act 2006 and the Theft Act 1968. The average sentence given to those who are found guilty of bank fraud is a prison sentence of between four and five years. In the most serious of cases, sentences of up to ten years imprisonment can be handed out. However, a sentence of this severity will only be in the most serious of situations, where the defendant has previous convictions, has defrauded multiple victims, and the amount defrauded exceeds £500,000.
If other means were used to defraud, such as identity theft or coercion, then the maximum sentence could exceed ten years imprisonment. Our experienced solicitors will be able to tell you if it’s likely that you’ll be charged with other offences in addition to bank fraud, and will help you to develop your defence accordingly.
Ashcott Solicitors – How we can help
Bank fraud cases are often highly complex in nature, making it essential that you obtain legal assistance at the soonest opportunity available. This way, your legal team will be able to help you develop your defence to the highest standard possible, with fewer time constraints. We can assist you in the following ways:
- Help you to prepare for interviews under caution, staying with you during the interview to give further advice
- Help you to prepare for trial and then represent you in court
- Ensure that the law is applied in a just manner throughout
- Help you with the appeals process if necessary
A timely legal response can make a significant difference when it comes to bank fraud cases; reach out if you face accusations of bank fraud or believe that you may face accusations in the near future.
If you require bank fraud defence solicitors, then look no further than our team at Ashcott Solicitors. Call us now on 0161 234 0020 (Manchester) /0203 053 8625 (London) / 07956 555979 (24 hour).
