Address: 2900 Bristol St., Suite C204 Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Available To Serve You Nationwide On All Federal Cases
This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Karren Kenney following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Karren Kenney, the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a criminal defense attorney.
Facing fraud charges in can affect every part of your life. Choosing an experienced attorney in San Diego is crucial when dealing with fraud cases, as local legal professionals understand the unique challenges and procedures in this area. Whether the accusations involve credit card misuse, insurance fraud, identity theft, or another white collar crime, these cases often move fast and can lead to harsh penalties. Law enforcement and government agencies take these matters seriously and will push for charges in both state and federal court.
Our experienced fraud attorney team knows how to defend people facing criminal cases of fraud in Southern California. Our team has handled everything from bank fraud to internet scams and false statements in insurance forms. We understand California law and the federal legal framework, and we know how to deal with business fraud, check fraud, tax fraud, and constructive fraud accusations.
With extensive experience in criminal law, our firm applies proven legal strategies to fraud cases. If you are under investigation or have already been charged, a skilled fraud defense lawyer from our firm is ready to protect your rights and your future.
When someone is charged with a fraud-related crime, they are often shocked by how quickly things escalate. Our firm has extensive experience in defending individuals against complex fraud charges, ensuring their rights and futures are protected. What may seem like a small misunderstanding or business mistake can lead to a federal investigation, criminal charges, and even a civil lawsuit. These cases often involve large amounts of paperwork, complex financial documents, and accusations of deceitful practices, company fraudulence, or falsifying information.
Our fraud defense lawyer understands the pressure that comes with these cases. We represent clients in both civil matters and criminal defense cases involving fraud, and emphasize the importance of strong legal representation in navigating sensitive fraud allegations.
Kenney Legal Defense helps people in all types of fraud situations, including credit card fraud, Medicare fraud, wage and hour law violations, securities fraud, wire fraud, and more. We also represent people accused of breaking laws involving the California Insurance Code Section 1871, California Penal Code § 548, § 549, § 550, and Revenue and Taxation Code 19706.
Our goal is to protect your rights under both California law and federal fraud statutes, and we work to resolve cases with smart legal strategies backed by real trial experience. The process of defending a fraud case typically involves investigation, evidence review, and court proceedings.
Criminal fraud is a criminal offense involving intentional deception, where someone lies or makes false statements to get money, property, or other benefits they are not legally owed. Fraud is an intentional act designed to mislead for personal gain. Fraud can happen in many areas of life, including banking, employment, real estate, business transactions, and government assistance. Under both state and federal laws, it is a crime to use trickery or false information to take something from another person or company, and such fraudulent activity is prosecuted under fraud laws.
Many of these cases fall under white collar crimes and may involve insurance fraud crimes, business fraud, or even insider trading. Fraud can take many forms, including various schemes and methods.
Our law firm handles many kinds of fraud cases across Southern California. These fraud charges are considered financial crimes under state and federal law. Each case has its own facts, evidence, and penalties, but all require strong legal defense.
A few of the common types of charges we take on include:
Insurance fraud happens when someone gives false information to an insurance company to get money they are not owed. This could include faking an auto accident, lying about damage after a home fire, or billing for medical treatments that never happened.
California Penal Code § 550, this type of fraud is a felony, and a conviction can lead to jail time, large fines, and a permanent criminal record. If you are accused of insurance fraud crimes, it is important to speak with an insurance fraud defense lawyer right away to protect yourself from further penalties and possible civil claims.
Real estate and mortgage fraud often involve giving false details on loan documents, using fake identities to buy property, or tricking someone in a real estate deal. Common examples include inflating property value, lying about income, or forging someone's signature.
Under California Penal Code § 487 and California Penal Code § 532f, these crimes are treated seriously and can lead to both criminal charges and civil lawsuits. In many cases, mortgage broker fraud and illegal business practices are tied to banking fraud, falsified financial documents, or false advertising during home sales or rentals.
Credit card and check fraud involve using someone else’s credit card numbers, creating fake cards, or writing checks from accounts that do not have enough money or do not belong to you. California law under Penal Code § 484e through Penal Code § 484f treats these actions as white collar crimes, and people charged may also face additional accusations such as identity theft or wire fraud.
Businesses may be affected too, especially if poor employee training or weak security practices allowed the fraud to happen. Training employees to recognize and report fraud schemes is essential to prevent internal threats such as employee fraud or misappropriation. These crimes can result in both state and federal charges depending on how the fraud took place and who was affected.
Identity theft happens when someone uses another person's private information, like their name, Social Security number, or credit card account, without permission to commit fraud or steal money.
Under California Penal Code § 530.5, this crime can lead to serious penalties, especially if it involves internet scams, credit card fraud, or fake business transactions. Identity theft is often linked to other charges, such as check fraud, wire fraud, or computer hacking. Many victims do not even know their information has been stolen until after the damage is done, which makes these cases very stressful.
If you are being accused of identification theft or related white collar offenses, a San Diego fraud lawyer can help protect your rights and build a strong defense.
Bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1344 is a federal crime that involves tricking a bank or financial institution to get money, property, or other assets through illegal means. These charges can involve falsifying bank statements, forging checks, opening accounts under false names, or using stolen information to move money between accounts.
Bank fraud cases may also involve related offenses such as money laundering, especially when complex financial transactions are used to conceal the origins of illegally obtained funds.
Cases of banking fraud are often complicated and may involve federal investigations and serious consequences, including prison time and heavy fines. These charges can also affect business owners who fail to follow safe check handling procedures or allow poor internal controls during business activity.
A lawyer who understands both state and federal fraud charges is essential in these situations.
Healthcare fraud happens when someone gives false or misleading information to get paid by a health insurance company, Medicare, or state-funded medical programs. This includes billing for services that were never provided, charging for more expensive procedures than what was done, or using another person's medical ID to receive care.
These actions may be charged under California Penal Code § 549 (illegal patient referrals), California Insurance Code § 1871.4 (false healthcare claims), or federal law such as 18 U.S.C. § 1347 (federal healthcare fraud).
Doctors, nurses, billing staff, and clinic owners can face charges, even if the mistake was unintentional. Some cases also involve illegal kickbacks or self-referrals, which may violate 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b or 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn. Even small errors in medical insurance billing can be seen as false statements or fraudulent misrepresentations.
Wire and mail fraud are federal crimes that happen when someone uses phones, emails, or the post office to commit fraud. This can include sending false letters, fake invoices, or scam emails to steal money or information. Even small actions, like using a fake name in an email or lying on a form that is mailed, can lead to wire fraud or mail fraud charges.
These crimes fall under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 and 18 U.S.C. § 1343 and are handled in federal court. Many internet scams, customer fraud cases, and business fraud schemes fall into this category. If you are charged, you could face long prison time and high fines, so you need a lawyer who understands federal fraud charges and how to fight them.
When you are facing fraud charges in San Diego, having a strong legal defense is crucial to protect your future and avoid severe penalties. At the Law Office of [Attorney’s Name], our experienced fraud attorneys understand the high stakes involved in white collar crimes, including insurance fraud, credit card fraud, tax fraud, and embezzlement. We know that a conviction can lead to jail time, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record, so we approach every case with a commitment to building the strongest possible defense.
Our team begins by conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations against you. We carefully review all financial records, legal documents, and evidence provided by the prosecution. Using our comprehensive knowledge of California law and the criminal justice system, we identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and look for opportunities to challenge false statements or circumstantial evidence. Our attorneys often work with forensic accounting experts and professionals from financial institutions and insurance companies to uncover discrepancies or errors that could support your defense.
Every fraud case is unique, so we take the time to understand your specific situation and concerns. We develop a personalized legal strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome—whether that means getting charges dismissed, negotiating reduced charges, or pursuing alternative sentencing options like probation or community service to help you avoid jail time.
If someone tells you that you're under investigation for fraud, take it seriously. You need to be very careful about what you do next. Follow these steps right away to protect yourself:
These steps can help you stay out of more trouble. Being careful at the start can make a big difference later in your case.
If you were found guilty of fraud but finished your probation, you may be able to clean up your record. This is called expungement. Expungement can significantly affect the final outcome of a fraud conviction by removing the conviction from your record and improving your future opportunities. Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, some people can ask the court to remove the conviction from their record. If approved, most employers won’t see the charge when they do a background check.
This can help you get a better job, apply for housing, or move forward in life. A San Diego fraud lawyer can check if you qualify and handle the steps for you. Expungement does not erase everything, but it gives you a second chance to move on from your past.
Kenney Legal Defense understands how fraud cases work. We help people who are accused of all types of fraud, from credit card fraud and identity theft to insurance fraud and business scams. Our team works hard to protect your rights and guide you through each step of the case. We have extensive experience in San Diego County courts. We know both California law and federal law, and we appear in local courts and federal courtrooms.
Whether your case is big or small, we take it seriously. We look at every detail, listen to your side, and build a strong plan to help you. We guide you through every step of the legal process. If you want a lawyer who explains things in simple terms, keeps you informed, and truly fights for you, we are ready to help
We are committed to protecting not only you but also your loved one during these difficult times.
Yes. Credit card fraud is a crime under California law and can lead to jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
Stay calm and speak to a criminal defense lawyer. Do not talk to investigators without your lawyer present.
Not always. It depends on the facts. Some cases are misdemeanors, but many are charged as felonies, especially if large amounts of money were involved.
If you completed probation, you may be able to expunge your conviction under PC § 1203.4. A lawyer can help with this.
Yes. Federal cases often carry longer prison terms and higher fines. They also involve federal agencies and rules.
Yes, our firm has extensive experience handling theft crimes, including theft of property, check fraud, identity theft, and other theft-related offenses. We represent clients facing a wide range of theft crimes as well as white collar and fraud cases.
If you are being investigated or charged with fraud, you need legal help right away. Fraud cases can move fast, and a mistake early on can make things worse. Kenney Legal Defense takes your case seriously and fight to protect your future. Whether you are dealing with identity theft, insurance fraud, credit card fraud, welfare fraud, or any other white collar crime, we are here to help. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.
We work with clients in both state and federal court across Southern California. Our team understands how to handle complicated legal issues, whether they involve tax fraud, wire fraud, internet scams, or business practices that led to criminal charges. Many fraud cases involve allegations of seeking financial gain through illegal means. We will explain your options, keep you updated, and build a plan that fits your situation.
Contact us today for a free case quote. Let our federal fraud defense lawyer review your case and help you take the next best step forward. You don’t have to face this alone.
