Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions regarding white collar crimes. Most people often do not realize that the burden of such crimes is actually on their shoulders. It is the public who pays the damage caused by such criminal activities. Do you know US taxpayers had to pay over five hundred billion dollars to cover the damage caused by the early 90’s and late 80’s loan and savings scandal? Shoddy business practices do not cost a lot to the companies that fail on such grounds because the government in most cases protects them so that widespread economic collapse could be prevented. The problem here is that the entire system is organized in such a way that such crimes are often very difficult to detect despite the fact that they cost in billions of dollars. This is the most basic reason why such criminals are always highly motivated to indulge in such activities without any fear.

Lack Of Punishment

Lack of punishment is another major reason that motivates people to commit white collar crimes. Our legal system often gives preferential treatment to such criminals. It is very rare when such while collar criminals are tried for their offences. Even when it happens, they easily get away by paying trivial monetary fines; even the jail imprisonment period is also very short. Since there is no fear of harsh consequences, many companies, businesses and other influential people see no problem in committing such crimes.

Financial Incentives

White collar crimes have turned out to be a “highly profitable business”. The financial incentives are very high as compared to the punishments or penalties it attracts. Businesses that work with the only motive to make profits, where profit is the bottom line and must be achieved at all costs, often lack social connections and they do not care if the public in large has to suffer because of their white collar criminal activities. However, it does not mean that all companies and businesses are involved in these types of crimes. There are also many businesses that have community involvement and strong social bonds. They never get engaged in such activities because of the strong moral convictions.

Different Types Of Crimes

There can be different types of white collar crimes, such as anti-competitive business practices, fraud, illegal dumping of commercial waste, and many other such things. All such things are very common and many businesses often commit such crimes in an attempt to increase their profitability and efficiency. Anti-competitive business practices may include many types of criminal activities, such as monopolizing products and unfair pricing. Since such activities disable competitors. The absence of competitors gives room for the corporations to sell inferior quality products at high prices. Fraud is also common to increase a company’s profitability. According to the defective product law, such crimes may include things like misleading advertisings or misrepresenting certain products. Likewise, when it comes to dumping of commercial waste, the laws require the process to be environmental friendly, which can be quite expensive. Companies and businesses try to save money in this regard by dumping waste illegally in a cheaper way, which pollutes the environment.

Overall, there are more reasons available to motivate people to commit white collar crimes than you can imagine. Your awareness of the laws and your legal rights can play a curial role when it comes to protecting yourself from the damage caused to the public at large because of white collar criminal activities.

Following are some of the different types of crime that fall under this category.

Forgery

Forgery refers to crimes where an individual uses a worthless or false monetary instrument, such as counterfeit security or check, with the only objective to injure or defraud the recipient.

Welfare Fraud

Welfare fraud refers to a white collar crime where employees are engaged in unlawful acts with the intent to qualify for certain benefits from federal or a state government, such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, Public Assistance, and others.

Telemarketing Fraud

Telemarketing fraud refers to cases where people pretend to be telemarketing callers and request corporations and residences to donate money to an alleged charitable organization but they do not use the money for the said purpose. They can make different types of calls and ask for money or credit card details.

Tax Evasion

These crimes include frauds that people commit while paying or filing taxes. It may include hiding income sources or providing manipulated information about deductibles.

Securities Fraud

In this type of white collar crime, brokers get engaged in activities that result in artificial rise in the price of the stocks; this is done with an intent to encourage buyers to buy stock while it is on the rise.

Money Laundering

Money laundering involves activities, where money is transferred or invested through various embezzlement schemes in such a way that falsely indicates that the original source is either legitimate or just cannot be traced.

Insurance Fraud

This type of fraud includes activities that help people to obtain proceeds from insurance companies in a deceptive way.

Insider Trading

Insider trading is a crime, where an individual or a group of individuals uses advance, confidential, or inside information with the intent to make money by trading in shares of public corporations.

Embezzlement

Sometimes, employees in a company or organization are given the responsibility to take care of certain property or fund, but they misuse the same for their personal benefit. This is called embezzlement, which is another common type of white collar crime.

Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud also comes into this category that refers to activities where a person uses someone else’s credit card in an authorized way to obtain money or assets.

Counterfeiting

When an unauthorized person uses the copies of an item instead of original or genuine item, it is called counterfeiting. Generally, counterfeiting is associated with money, but it may also include watches, handbags, or even designer clothes. For example, if someone is selling an imitation of a designer dress by calling it original, it is counterfeiting.

Computer Fraud

Computer fraud is also very common. This type of white collar crime is committed by computer hackers; they steal information from a computer (such as, proprietary information, credit card details, and bank details) and misuse the same.

Bribery

Bribery also comes into this category of crime. It is an act of offering or accepting information, services, goods, money, or anything else of value with the intent to influence the decisions, opinions, or actions of the bribe recipient. It is important to note that whether you are accepting or offering a bribe, in either case, you are committing a crime.

Other types of white collar crime include bank fraud, blackmail, cellular phone fraud, currency schemes, environmental schemes, extortion, health care fraud, investment schemes, kickback, theft, racketeering, and manipulation with weights and measures. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you may need to hire a criminal defense lawyer.