TL;DR: Falsely Accused of Fraud in Texas
- Secure Legal Counsel and Stay Silent. Do not talk to law enforcement or confront the accuser; anything you say can be used against you. Immediately seek a reputable local lawyer.
- Preserve All Evidence. Immediately gather and save relevant documents, emails, contracts, and bank statements. Never delete or tamper with any files.
- Maintain Strict Confidentiality. Avoid openly discussing the accusation on social media or with coworkers; keep all case discussions private with your lawyer.
- Prepare for the Process. Follow your lawyer’s advice, attend all required court appearances, and respond quickly to legal requests during the lengthy investigation.
Being falsely accused of fraud can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you’ve never had to deal with the justice system before. Fraud charges can often be complex, but if you move quickly and carefully, you can protect your rights and build your defense from the ground up early on in the process.
Here’s exactly what to do if you’re falsely accused of fraud in Texas.
Keep Your Cool & Steer Clear of the Accuser
Difficult as it may be, your first response should be to stay level-headed and keep your emotions from getting the best of you.
Definitely don’t confront the person who accused you in the first place or try to explain your side of events—this will just make things worse, and might even create even more legal issues down the line. Anything you say when you’re angry can be used against you later in court.
Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
When law enforcement gets in touch with you, the smart response is no response. You’ve got the right to say ‘no comment’ until you’ve had a chance to talk to a lawyer.
Don’t give any recorded statements or explanations on your own. Wait until you can work with a reputable local lawyer with knowledge of Texas’s legal system, like the Texas Criminal Defense Group. Authorities might try to phrase their questions in a way that seems informal, but always remember that their main goal is to get statements out of you that back up the accusation.
Save Any Relevant Documents & Records
When it comes to fraud allegations, your ability to fight your case will often depend on the evidence you can provide in the form of documents, emails, contracts, bank statements, and so on.
So, as soon as you learn about the accusation, take the time to gather up and save any related records. Don’t delete or tamper with any files, since this can make you look guilty even when you’re not.
Don’t Openly Discuss the Case
It goes without saying that you definitely shouldn’t be openly discussing the accusation anywhere, whether that’s on social media or with your coworkers. The reality is that anything you say can be taken out of context and used by prosecutors against you.
Even your private conversations can become evidence if investigators get wind of them, so keep all your discussions about the case to yourself and your lawyer.
Get Prepared for the Justice System
It’s worth preparing yourself for the fact that fraud investigations in Texas can take a while because they involve financial analysis and document review.
Throughout the process, be sure to follow your lawyer’s advice, turning up to all the court appearances you’re required to make and responding quickly to any legal requests. You don’t want to harm your case by missing deadlines or court dates.
Ultimately, acting quickly and protecting your records is the winning formula when it comes to being in the best position to tackle false fraud allegations and defend your reputation.
