Fraud Solicitors: Civil fraud claims
Expert Commercial Law have a panel of fraud solicitors on hand to provide expert advice and representation, whether you wish to make a claim for fraudulent activity, or you are the recipient of allegations of fraud. Arrange a consultationWhat is fraud?
Fraud in the UK is defined as the act of deceiving or cheating someone with the intent of gaining something, typically money or property, by illegal means. Most types of fraud cases in England and Wales are for fraud by false representation. Examples of fraud include:
- Identity fraud: using someone else’s personal information to open bank accounts, credit cards, or loans in their name
- Investment fraud: convincing someone to invest money in a fake or non-existent business opportunity
- Charity fraud: falsely claiming to be a charity in order to collect money from donors
- Insurance fraud: making false claims to an insurance company in order to receive payouts
- Advance fee fraud: requiring payment of a fee in advance in order to receive a promised service or benefit that is never delivered
- Phishing: Attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
- Mortgage fraud: providing false or misleading information on a mortgage loan application in order to obtain a mortgage or refinance a property.
- Money laundering: the process of making illegally-gained proceeds (i.e. “dirty money”) appear legal (i.e. “clean”). It is typically accomplished through false accounting and by moving money through a series of transactions in order to confuse the paper trail and make it difficult to trace the funds back to their illegal origins.
- Internal fraud: fraudulent activity that is perpetrated by an individual or group within an organization, rather than by an outside party. This type of fraud can take many forms, such as embezzlement.
Consequences of fraud
The punishment for fraud in the UK can vary depending on the severity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it. However, under the Fraud Act 2006, fraud is considered a serious criminal offense and this type of financial crime can result in severe penalties, including:
- Imprisonment: Individuals found guilty of fraud can face long prison sentences, depending on the amount of money involved in the fraud and the level of premeditation involved.
- Fines: In addition to, or instead of, imprisonment, a court may impose a fine on a person convicted of fraud. The fine can be substantial and is usually determined by the court based on the financial gain the offender has made from the fraud.
- Restitution: An offender may be ordered to pay back the money they have obtained through fraudulent means.
- Disqualification: Some fraud offenses can lead to disqualification from certain professions or businesses.
It is important to note that in addition to criminal penalties, individuals or organizations found guilty of this criminal offence may also be subject to civil litigation, in which they may be ordered to pay damages to the victims of their fraud and financial crimes.
The UK legal system takes fraud seriously, so an offender will face a thorough fraud investigations, court process and if convicted, a criminal record, which can have a long-term impact on the offender’s life.
A criminal law solicitor may be required to assist those undergoing fraud investigations and prosecutions.
Fraud solicitors: Making a fraud claim
A fraud claim is a legal or insurance claim that is made in the event of fraudulent activity. Fraud claims are made by individuals, businesses or organisations who have been a victim of fraud, seeking reimbursement or compensation for the losses they have incurred.
In the insurance sector, fraud claim refers to when an individual or business make false or exaggerated claims to an insurance company in order to receive pay outs. Insurance fraud claims can include false or inflated claims for medical expenses, property damage, or personal injury.
In legal context, fraud claims refer to when a person or organisation makes a legal claim against another person or organisation for fraud. This type of claim can be made in civil court and may seek damages for financial losses resulting from the fraudulent activity.
It is important to note that fraud claims are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. As such, it is advisable to provide accurate and complete information when making a fraud claim.
Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether or not to make a fraud claim:
- The amount of financial loss: If the amount of money or property that you have lost as a result of the fraud is significant, it may be worth making a claim in order to recover your losses.
- The likelihood of success: Before making a claim, it is important to consider the chances of a successful outcome. You will need to have sufficient evidence to prove that fraud has occurred, and that the person or organisation you are making the claim against is responsible.
- The cost of making a claim: It is also important to consider the cost of making a claim, including legal fees and other expenses.
- The impact of the fraud on your life: If the fraud has had a significant negative impact on your life, such as causing emotional distress, it may be worth pursuing a claim in order to seek justice.
If you are unsure about whether or not to make a fraud claim, it is a good idea to speak to a legal professional or a fraud expert for advice. Our panel of expert fraud solicitors will be able to provide you with more information on your rights and options and help you determine whether or not making a claim is in your best interests.
How our panel of fraud solicitors can assist
We have a panel of fraud solicitors who have dealt with many high profile cases involving fraud. They provide legal advice and representation to individuals, businesses, and organisations that have been the victims of fraud, as well as to those who have been accused of committing fraud.
The specific role and responsibilities of a fraud solicitor will depend on the nature of the case and the needs of the client. However, some common tasks that a fraud solicitor may perform include:
- Advising clients on their rights and options in the event of fraud
- Gathering and analysing evidence to support a fraud claim
- Drafting and filing legal documents, such as lawsuits and petitions
- Representing clients in court or at arbitration and mediation proceedings
- Negotiating settlements with other parties involved in the fraud case
- Advising clients on compliance with laws and regulations related to fraud
- Helping clients to obtain compensation for losses caused by fraud
Contact us today using the form below to find out if we can help on your case.
Our solicitors also help with commercial claims, such as partnership disputes, breach of contract and CCJ removal.
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Please note, we are not a firm of solicitors; however, we maintain a panel of trusted and regulated legal experts. If you contact us in relation to a commercial law case, we will pass your case onto a panel firm in return for a fee from our panel firms. We will never charge you for passing on your case to a panel firm.
