Federal Bank Fraud Defense Attorneys For Investigations And Charges
A call or letter from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about your business, finances or bank accounts can be unsettling. If investigators are asking questions about a loan, mortgage, wire transfer or other financial transaction, you may not know what the contact means or what you should say. You do not have to face a federal investigation without legal representation.
At Sumrall & Welch, PLLC, criminal defense is the focus. The attorneys bring more than 70 years of combined experience to serious criminal matters and handle federal and state cases, including federal bank fraud investigations, target letters, subpoenas and criminal charges.
Federal Bank Fraud Matters We Handle
You may face federal bank fraud allegations involving:
- Loan application and mortgage fraud: If you are a borrower, business owner or real estate investor, you may face potential federal charges for allegedly lying on a loan application. Claims may involve overstated income, inflated assets, allegedly false tax returns or other false statements submitted in connection with a loan or mortgage.
- Business email compromise (BEC) and bank wire fraud: You may face allegations that you used emails to divert company or institutional funds, compromise a corporate bank account or cause an unauthorized electronic transfer. A BEC cybercrime defense lawyer can address these claims, including federal wire and bank fraud charges.
- Target letters and pre-indictment federal defense: If you are an individual or corporate officer, you may receive an FBI or FDIC-OIG target letter, a bank-record subpoena or a grand jury subpoena before an indictment. A lawyer can review the request and explain your next steps.
Whether you are facing an investigation or formal federal charges, the alleged transaction, financial records, communications and surrounding facts can all affect your defense. Getting an attorney involved early gives you an opportunity to address the allegations before they develop further.
What To Do If The FBI Contacts You About Bank Fraud
If the FBI contacts you about suspected bank fraud, take the contact seriously. Do not try to handle a federal investigation on your own. Instead:
- Do not ignore the contact: Federal investigators may be gathering information before deciding whether to bring charges.
- Do not make statements without understanding your position: What you say during an investigation can affect your case.
- Get a federal criminal defense lawyer involved early: An attorney can assess your situation and advise you before you respond.
Preserve relevant records. Keep loan documents, bank records, emails, financial records and other materials related to the investigation. Do not alter or destroy them. - Take subpoenas and target letters seriously: If you receive a grand jury subpoena, target letter or other federal request, have a lawyer review it and explain what it requires.
- Do not wait for an indictment to seek representation: Pre-indictment federal defense can address an investigation before formal charges are filed.
Taking these steps can give you and your attorney more time to understand the investigation, assess the allegations and decide how to respond.
Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Representation
Serious allegations call for focused criminal defense. Sumrall & Welch, PLLC, handles criminal matters in federal and state courts. Our criminal defense work includes serious charges such as bank fraud, mortgage fraud, drug trafficking and murder. If you face loan-related allegations, a mortgage fraud defense attorney can assess your situation and discuss your options.
Get Defense For Your Federal Bank Fraud Matter
A target letter, subpoena or call from federal investigators can raise urgent questions. So can a federal charge. You do not have to wait until the situation becomes a formal criminal case before seeking legal guidance. Contact Sumrall & Welch, PLLC, to discuss what you received, what the government may be seeking and what steps you may need to take.
Call us at 601-533-5551 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation.