White Collar Crime

Experienced White Collar Crime Attorney in Alabama

Mail Fraud & Wire Fraud: What You Need to Know

Mail fraud and wire fraud are serious federal criminal charges that prosecutors argue are widely applicable to various types of criminal conduct. Mail fraud involves using the United States Postal Service (USPS) to defraud someone of money or property. On the other hand, wire fraud involves using interstate wire transfers—such as telephone calls, emails, or money wire transfers—in furtherance of a fraudulent scheme.

Mail Fraud Charges

When someone is charged with mail fraud, it means they have allegedly used the US Postal Service or other mail services to execute a fraud scheme. These charges can arise from using mail to further fraudulent activities, such as defrauding someone of money or property.

Wire Fraud Charges

Wire fraud charges occur when an individual uses a telephone call, email, or wire transfer as a part of a scheme to defraud someone. These types of charges can be accompanied by other charges in federal indictments, making them serious criminal offenses. Prosecutors often use these charges to bring together several different criminal activities.

Common Combinations of Fraud Charges

For example, a person accused of bribery who receives bribe money through the mail may face both bribery and mail fraud charges. Similarly, in a mortgage fraud scheme, if a person uses a telephone call to further their criminal actions, they may also be charged with wire fraud.

Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud are commonly associated with other federal criminal charges and can be part of a broader indictment. These charges are not to be taken lightly and can result in severe penalties.