Vista DUI Lawyer and Criminal Attorney Peter M. Liss

24 hour hotline
  • DUI / Felony DUI
    • Vista DUI Attorney
    • DMV Hearings
    • DUI Defenses
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sex Crimes
    • Sex Crime Defense
    • Child Molestation
    • Child Pornography
  • Traffic Offense Help
    • Hit and Run Accident
    • No-License Driving
    • Reckless Driving
  • More Practice Areas
    • Juvenile Crime
    • Violent Crime
      • The Three Strikes Law
      • Weapons Charges
    • Theft Defense
    • White Collar Crime
      • Fraud Charges
    • Drug Offenses
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • San Diego Office
    • The Criminal Process
    • Criminal Defense FAQ
    • Hiring a Criminal Lawyer
    • Vista Criminal Law Blog
  • Contact Us 24/7
  • En español

How A San Diego Credit Card Fraud Lawyer Can Help You

October 15, 2022 Written by Jill Harness and Edited by Peter Liss Last Updated on December 30, 2022

san diego credit card fraud lawyer

Credit card fraud is increasing in frequency every day. As the internet makes it easier to steal, share and use credit card information, it will continue to do so. Unfortunately, because so many credit card fraud cases involve anonymous internet activities, many people are wrongly charged with this crime. In many cases, police begin to accuse anyone who may have had access to sensitive credit card information, even if that person has never committed a crime in their life. Anyone charged with credit card fraud or being investigated for the crime should immediately contact a skilled criminal defense lawyer.

About Credit Card Fraud Charges

California state penal code 484(g) (PC) covers the majority of credit card fraud crimes. Under this law, gaining access to money, services, or goods through the use of a stolen, fake, forged, expired, or otherwise invalid credit or debit card is illegal. Those who break this law will not be charged with 484(g) (PC) but with either petty or grand theft.

Petty theft charges apply in cases when the illicitly acquired goods or services are valued at less than $950. Petty theft is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Many offenders can even keep these charges off their record by participating in a diversion program.

If the goods are valued at more than $950, you will instead face grand theft charges. This offense is a wobbler, which can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Misdemeanor penalties include up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines, whereas felony grand theft is punishable by up to 3 years in prison. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can be critical in helping to ensure those facing credit card charges involving more than $950 worth of stolen property will only face misdemeanor charges. In many cases, an attorney can negotiate grand theft charges down to petty theft.

No matter what level theft charges you face, you will also be expected to pay back the victim as part of your criminal sentence.

Related Criminal Offenses

Like many white collar crimes, credit card fraud cases may end up incorporating various charges, including fraud, forgery, representing oneself as another person to an officer of the law, and more. Identity theft is a common charge involved with credit card fraud cases, and it carries separate and substantial prison terms.

These Crimes are Thoroughly Investigated

The San Diego District Attorney has a unit dedicated to investigating financial crimes and identity fraud cases, including those committed using debit or credit cards. Most credit card fraud cases require extensive police searches of your property and computer files. A credit card fraud lawyer in San Diego, like Peter M. Liss, can review such police searches to help ensure your rights are not violated during the investigation.

By having a top criminal attorney at your side during any police interviews, you can avoid mistakenly saying something which may be used against you later on and ensure the police do not violate your rights during the interrogation process.

Fighting Charges with a San Diego Credit Card Fraud Lawyer

If you have been accused of any of these crimes in conjunction with a suspected credit card theft, please call a credit card fraud attorney like Peter M. Liss as soon as possible. There are many defenses to these crimes, but perhaps the strongest is simply arguing you had no intent to defraud when you used the credit or debit card. For example, you would not be guilty if you found a credit card and put it in your purse, intending to report the loss to the credit card company, but forgot about it and then later used it to fill up at a gas station without noticing it wasn’t yours.

If you have any questions or need to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced lawyer, contact attorney Peter M. Liss. Please call (760) 643-4050.

Filed Under: Sharing Obscene Materials, Theft Defense, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, Fraud Charges, WHITE COLLAR CRIME Tagged With: San Diego credit card defense lawyer, san diego credit card fraud lawyer, credit card fraud, credit card fraud lawyer San Diego, fraud defense, types of fraud

Call Today, I Can Help You

criminal justice attorney Peter M. Liss
The Experience You Need

I have been practicing law for over 35 years, and opened my own law firm in 1998, after serving as Assistant Supervising Public Defender for the Vista Public Defender’s Office. I have defended many high profile cases in my career, fighting charges ranging from drunk driving to capital murder.

Two Easy-to-Find Offices

My Vista offices are located just off the 78 freeway, directly across the street from the local courthouse and jail facility. For those further south, I have another office in Carmel Valley, off the 5 freeway and highway 56. Both offices offer free parking.

Call (760) 643-4050 Now

You can call my offices any time of day, every day to speak with a live person who can help you schedule a free initial consultation. If you have any questions, I return my calls promptly and courteously.

My Guarantee to You

I ensure all clients receive top quality representation at affordable rates and I accept all major credit cards. Hablamos Espanol.

I’m available, let’s talk

My Practice Areas

I handle all types of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in San Diego County, including:

  • Driving Under the Influence
    • DMV DUI License Hearings
    • Drug DUI
    • DUI Evidence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Sex Crimes
    • Sexual Assault/Rape
    • Child Molestation
    • Child Pornography
  • White Collar Crimes
    • Fraud Cases
    • Embezzlement
    • Identity Theft
    • Computer Crimes
  • Theft Crimes
    • Petty Theft
    • Grand Theft
    • Shoplifting
    • Robbery
    • Burglary
  • Drug Charges
    • Possession
    • Trafficking
  • Violent Crimes
    • Weapons Offenses
    • Assault
    • Homicide
    • Hate Crimes
    • Gang Crimes
    • Third Strike FAQ
  • Criminal Traffic Offenses
    • Driving on a Suspended License
    • Hit and Run Accidents
    • Reckless Driving
    • Vehicular Homicide
  • Juvenile Crime Defense
    • Truancy
    • Vandalism
    • Minor in Possession

Categories

  • CRIMINAL DEFENSE
  • DUI / FELONY DUI
    • DUI Lawyers Vista
    • License Suspensions
    • Sentencing
    • Traffic Stops
  • DRIVING OFFENSES
    • Traffic Offenses
    • Fleeing the Police
    • Hit and Run Accidents
    • Reckless Driving
    • Street Racing
  • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
  • WHITE COLLAR CRIME
    • Computer Crimes
    • Fraud Charges
  • DRUG OFFENSES
  • VIOLENT CRIMES
    • Gang Crimes
    • Animal Abuse
    • Assault and Battery
    • Hate Crimes
    • Homicide
    • Kidnapping
    • Weapons Charges
  • SEX OFFENSES
    • Sharing Obscene Materials
    • Sex Offenses
    • Rape
    • Sex Crimes Involving Children
  • THEFT CRIMES
    • Theft Defense
  • FAQs
  • FEDERAL CRIMES
    • Federal Crimes Lawyers in Vista
  • HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS
    • Hypotheticals
  • JUVENILE CRIME
    • San Diego Juvenile Crimes Lawyer
  • LEGAL PROCEDURES
    • The CA Legal System
  • SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES
  • CORONAVIRUS NEWS
  • DUI / Felony DUI
  • Driving Offenses
  • Domestic Violence
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Theft Defense
  • Drug Offenses
  • Violent Crimes
  • Sex Offenses
  • Juvenile Crime
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Attorney Peter M. Liss,
(760) 643-4050
380 S Melrose Drive #301
Vista, CA 92081

vista crimminal law logo

Copyright 2003, 2021 Peter M. Liss, Esq.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


About the Legal Information on This Website

I rely on my experience as a top defense lawyer in my area to personally review all information on this site; however the information offered here should not substitute as legal advice. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in Vista, please contact a qualified defense attorney.