NYC ATM Fraud Lawyers
ATM Fraud is a complex crime that requires understanding the full spectrum of crimes that fall under this label. ATM Fraud can be handled by New York State, but it often escalates to a federal level crime. It’s escalated from state to federal courts because financial institutions face harm or threats when the crime occurs. The government presides over and handles the majority of cases involving ATM fraud.
Understanding ATM Fraud
Both states and the federal government define ATM fraud as a crime. There are generally five different crimes that fall under the definition of ATM fraud.
1. Theft from an ATM: This crime occurs when someone chooses to break into an ATM and steal its contents. It’s a difficult task to accomplish, but it’s not unheard of, and some people have been able to do it.
2. Theft of an ATM: Stealing an entire ATM and its contents is classified as the crime of ATM fraud.
3. ATM Withdrawal Fraud: An individual receives a bank card to access their funds when they open an account at a financial institution. A crime occurs when someone deposits fraudulent checks or makes a deposit from an account that they know does not have the adequate funds.
4. ATM Card Theft: This is one of the simplest ways to commit ATM fraud, and it involves taking someone’s card and retrieving unauthorized funds. One way some people choose to do this is to use a device that keeps the card in the machine and then suggest to the person who cannot retrieve their card to re-type their PIN. They watch closely, and when the individual enters the bank to consult with a teller about the issue, they steal the card and disappear before anyone can stop them.
5. Skimming: ATM skimming is a more high-tech crime and involves someone installing a skimmer machine inside the ATM. It functions in the same way that an ATM card reader works and gives personal financial information to the thief. The person who installs the skimmer uses this information to make purchases, create false accounts, or make fake cards to take the funds.
Punishment for ATM Fraud
Someone who is charged with ATM fraud must go to trial to answer to the charges. The punishment varies from one case to another and involves how strong the prosecutor’s case is, how convincing the defense’s arguments are, and the strength of the evidence in the case. Charges that an individual who has committed ATM fraud can face include wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, or larceny.
A larceny charge is petit larceny if the amount taken is less than $1,000, while an amount over $1,000 elevates the charge to grand larceny. The state handles larceny cases. If a credit or debit card is used in the theft, the charge will definitely be grand larceny. Another crime the state handles is identity theft. The crimes of bank fraud or wire fraud are more severe and can carry penalties of up to a $1 million fine and up to 30 years in prison.
A prosecutor with plenty of evidence and a very strong case can ask the court to set penalties for ATM Fraud. Anyone who is facing charges of ATM Fraud needs to have an experienced attorney by their side because the punishment if you are convicted, is severe and can have life-long consequences including being unable to find a job or obtain housing. Unlike minor violations, a person convicted of ATM fraud will not simply be able to put the crime behind them as a past mistake. It can and will have a significant effect on your future and possibly for the rest of your life. Hiring an attorney with experience in theft crimes, including ATM Fraud, can help ensure that you get the best results when you go to court with minimal consequences.