What You Need to Know About Mail Fraud Cases

There are many ways in which people can commit mail fraud. Mail fraud is a term that covers any use of the U.S. Postal Service or other mail carriers to perpetrate fraudulent activities, such as the following:

• Convincing people to invest their money in fraudulent investment opportunities, such as Ponzi schemes.
• Mailing people a false application for a credit card, which they’re asked to mail back with sensitive information.
• Mailing out a flyer with false information in an attempt to get people to buy a product or service.

Mail fraud usually leads to federal charges and can result in years (sometimes decades) of prison time and steep fines. If you’re facing a mail fraud charge, it’s crucial to work with a Minnesota attorney who is experienced with both federal and state court cases and white collar crimes. It’s also important to know what to expect in mail fraud cases.

What Are Some Things You Should Know About Mail Fraud Cases?

Mail fraud may be one of multiple charges

Mail fraud activities may be quite complex and involve multiple crimes, including identity theft and forgery. A fraudulent scheme that extends to phone, internet, or TV also opens people up to wire fraud charges. Furthermore, certain laws that protect vulnerable groups, such as the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994, can lead to more serious charges or penalties.

One of the benefits of strong legal representation is your attorney’s ability to analyze complex cases. Your attorney will comb through the evidence to uncover weaknesses, strengthen your case, and determine if the charges brought against you are warranted by your intentions and actions.

Intent is critical

Prosecutors need to prove that you intended to commit fraud using a mail service. Demonstrating proof of intent is a critical part of their case. But what if you were acting in good faith or out of ignorance?

A skilled attorney will know how to represent your good faith intentions to a court or demonstrate that you weren’t aware of any fraudulent activities. For example, if you were mailing something for your employer, you may have been in the dark about an alleged fraud scheme.

Regarding good faith, it’s important to consider if an untruthful statement was a willful lie or something more benign, such as a careless mistake. Maybe it was the kind of exaggerated claim often produced by salespeople. The alleged fraud may have resulted from a genuine misunderstanding.

Fraudulent misrepresentations include omissions

Fraud isn’t limited to making direct untruthful statements. It can also involve omitting critical information and doing so in a way that increases the likelihood that people will part with money, property, or sensitive information under false pretenses.

The question of what constitutes a fraudulent omission can be tricky. You need an attorney who understands all the nuances of the law and your case.

The success of a scheme is irrelevant

An arrest and conviction for mail fraud doesn’t depend on anyone losing money. For example, if people mail out fraudulent marketing or investment materials, but they fail to obtain any money at all, they can still be charged with mail fraud.

The use of a mail service doesn’t have to be central to the fraud

A fraudulent scheme may involve multiple steps and activities. The use of a mail service may play only a minor role in the scheme as a whole. But even if it isn’t a primary part of the overarching plan, the alleged perpetrators may still face a mail fraud charge.

Reach Out to Us

If you’re facing charges of mail fraud and related crimes, you need high-quality legal representation. We will fight for the best possible outcome for your case and help protect you against unfairness and injustice. Don’t hesitate to contact us. You’ll benefit from an attorney with powerful skills, an impressive track record, and decades of experience with both state and federal courts.