White-collar crimes are nonviolent offenses that involve deception, fraud or theft for financial gain. They are usually committed by people in positions of trust, such as business executives, public officials or other professionals.
White-collar crimes can have serious consequences for both the perpetrators and the alleged victims as they can result in large losses of money, property and reputation.
Embezzlement
This is the act of taking money or property that belongs to someone else, usually an employer or a client, and using it for personal benefit. Embezzlement can occur in various settings, such as banks, corporations, nonprofits or government agencies. Embezzlement can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount and circumstances of the theft.
Identity theft
This is the act of stealing someone’s personal information, such as name, social security number, credit card number or bank account number, and using it to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can also be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity and impact of the crime.
Insurance fraud
This is the act of deliberately lying or misrepresenting facts to an insurance company to obtain benefits or payments that are not deserved. Insurance fraud can take many forms, such as inflating claims, staging accidents, faking injuries or submitting false documents. Insurance fraud can be prosecuted at both the state and federal levels, and can result in fines, restitution or imprisonment.
FBI statistics
According to the FBI’s 2020 National Incident-Based Reporting System data, there were 6.6 million victims of white-collar crimes in the United States in 2020. The data also showed that Florida ranked fourth among the states with the highest number of white-collar crime incidents.
The takeaway
If you are accused of committing a white-collar crime in Florida, take it seriously. A white-collar crime conviction can have serious consequences for your future, such as loss of employment, loss of professional license, loss of reputation, fines, restitution, probation and jail time.