Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Credit Fraud, Internet Banking, ID Theft

My sister left an abusive

relationship after 5+ yrs (not

married). She used his credit card

# to get away, living on money she

transferred from cash advances to

an internet banking site. She made

pymts like it was hers but one

month was missed & the co.

contacted the ex and he has

reported it as fraud. With interest

28k is now owed. She moved from

OR to AZ, NV and CA during this

time. Now has an ok job, she could

pay, but is so scared she is

thinking of running. No

prior crim.record but has a history

of mental health problems

psych hosp.and suicide attempt

when she lived with this ex. Mostly

it was money transfers and on line

air or hotel reserv. thru a website,

she never had the actual card,

just the #. She is terrified of jail

and I am scared she will run

and live homeless or try suicide

again. She has had a msg from the

card co but no contact. How long

does an investigation take before

they prosecute? What are the steps

and timeline? Should she talk to co.

fraud dept? What is she facing? She

is ready to run now. Help?


Asked on 8/03/06, 2:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Credit Fraud, Internet Banking, ID Theft

In most cases such this no criminal charges are filed. It is normally considered to be a civil matter. She should file for divorce and list this as a community debt. She should contact an attorney in the area where she lives. Ask the attorney about the advisability of contacting the credit card company and discuss payment.

Read more
Answered on 8/05/06, 12:21 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in California