Credit Card Fraud Attorney in Nashville, TN

Written by Kimberly S. Hodde, National Chair of Criminal Defense at Meister Seelig & Schuster

Federal investigations into credit card fraud often target large-scale financial crimes, identity theft rings, and the misuse of government or corporate funds that cross state lines. Federal agencies such as the FBI, the Secret Service, and the Department of Homeland Security lead these investigations. They often involve other federal criminal statutes, such as bank fraud, wire fraud, or mail fraud. As a result, credit card allegations frequently develop into complex white-collar fraud defense matters involving several related federal offenses.

Conduct That Can Trigger a Federal Investigation

There are many common federal triggers that result in federal investigations:

  • Skimming and Shimming: Placing secret capture tools on gas pumps or ATMs to steal card data and make fake cards.
  • Cross-State Online Theft: Using stolen numbers for internet orders shipped across state lines.
  • Account Takeovers: Breaking into online card portals to change account settings or personal data.
  • Trafficking in Numbers: Buying or selling card data on forums or encrypted apps
  • Subscription or micro-charge scams: Auto-billing many small charges to hide fraud and reduce disputes
  • Inside Jobs & Embezzlement: Employees or clerks misusing corporate or government credit cards for personal gain.

Federal Access Device Fraud Charges

Federal prosecutors can charge people with “access device fraud” under 18 U.S.C. § 1029. This law covers using, making, or selling unauthorized card numbers, counterfeit cards, or skimming equipment. It can also apply to possessing fifteen or more account numbers or tools used to make fake cards. Penalties can be severe, and they increase with the amount of money involved and the number of victims.

Schemes that rely on email, text, online stores, or payment portals may be charged as wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343. The government must prove there was a plan to defraud and that interstate wires were used. When someone else’s identity, such as a name, login, or account, is used, prosecutors may add aggravated identity theft to the charge, which carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence to be run consecutively (in addition to) any other sentence.

Defenses to Federal Credit Card Fraud Allegations

These cases are very serious, especially when prosecutors add aggravated identity theft charges. But compelling defenses exist in these prosecutions. Your circumstances matter. Often, the accused has little knowledge of the scheme and no criminal intent to take money from another person. In other cases, constitutional challenges may be raised against the investigative techniques used.

Kim Hodde and her team at MSS have the experience and resources to help you through this investigation and prosecution.

Experienced Federal Credit Card Fraud Defense

As the National Chair of Criminal Defense at Meister Seelig & Schuster (MSS), Kim Hodde oversees her Nashville-based team and collaborates with lawyers from the firm’s locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and Tennessee. While retaining the individualized, strategic representation for which Ms. Hodde is renowned, this extended national platform offers clients the capabilities of an advanced, multi-office legal practice.

In Nashville, throughout Tennessee, and throughout the United States, Kim Hodde and her colleagues at Meister Seelig & Schuster (MSS) provide high-level counsel to executives, business owners, professionals, organizations, and others accused of fraud. If you are under investigation or have been charged with federal credit card fraud, contact Kim Hodde and MSS-Nashville to discuss your defense options.

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