Government center fraud also known as “impersonation fraud”, is when an individual impersonates a government official in an attempt to collect money. An example of government center fraud cases is claiming to be a debt collector of a fraudulent debt and are accused of threatening an individual with an arrest or lawsuit if the debt goes unpaid. Government center fraud is considered a violation of federal law. If you have been accused or charged with this crime, serious penalties including time in prison and significant fines could result.
At Stechschulte Nell, we have years of experience representing clients who have been charged with government center fraud, and we have a proven track record of success in either reducing serious penalties or possibly having the case dropped altogether. We take a closer look at government center fraud and best defense practices…
Defining Government Center Fraud
This form of fraud for impersonating a government official can include many activities:
- Promising an individual with lottery winnings if they pay “taxes or other fees”
- Participating in Student loan or scholarship scams
- Robocalls for demands for payments, cancellation of health or VA benefits, or other requests for payments
- Posing as an FBI agent (usually via phone) and informing a victim that their Social Security number has been suspended with the intent to receive money
If you are charged with government center fraud, our Tampa based, federal defense firm will use our vast knowledge and experience to protect your rights and develop a strong defense for your case. 813-280-1244
Cracking Down on Government Center Fraud Cases
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in scams and government center fraud. In fact, in 2019 alone, 13,783 people reported being victims of government impersonation scams with losses totaling more than $124 million!
Considering these statistics, it is no wonder why the Federal Bureau of Investigation is cracking down on these cases.
Government Center Fraud Defense
Because the penalties for federal crimes are severe, you should explore all possible defense strategies to either avoid conviction or reduce your sentence.
Defense strategies we often employ for federal cases such as government center fraud include:
- Acceptance of Responsibility – This is a clause in the federal sentencing guidelines which allows for lower sentences for those who plead guilty and accept responsibility for committing a federal crime.
- Cooperating with Law Enforcement – In certain cases, a defendant can provide law enforcement with valuable information regarding a criminal case in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Contact Criminal Defense Attorney Ben Stechschulte
Federal criminal defense lawyer, Ben Stechschulte, is a board-certified trial law attorney and has a vast knowledge of the federal court system and federal crimes, including government center fraud.
If you have been accused of this type of federal violation, we can help. Call our Stechschulte Nell Attorneys at Law today at 813-280-1244 or click here to request a free case review.
