Identity Fraud Solicitors
Identity fraud is a complex offence, with the corresponding penalties being extremely serious. When facing an accusation of identity fraud, instructing our experienced criminal defence solicitors is of paramount importance.
To summarise, identity fraud involves the use of an individual’s stolen details to commit a crime. An individual’s identity can be used for a variety of illegal actions, often with the intention of making a financial gain.
At JD Spicer Zeb, we regularly support clients with a range of issues that fall under the bracket of identity fraud. There are a number of criminal acts which could contribute to an identity fraud case, meaning that being subject to an investigation can be incredibly distressing.
The likes of HMRC, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) all have the authority to conduct thorough investigations into examples identity fraud.
Our specialist expertise in handling fraud offences, including identity fraud, ensures that we are in a strong position to provide you with the necessary support to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your individual case.
Get in touch
Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?
- 1000's Cases Dropped
- 24/7 Emergency Phonelines
- 100's Years Combined Experience
- Read all Reviews
Recent Cases
There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.
While our top priority will be to help you avoid conviction for identity fraud, in cases where this is not possible, we will take every measure to ensure that any penalties applied are mitigated as far as possible.
When facing allegations of identity fraud, you will typically have the option of instructing a duty solicitor. We would always recommend that you instead choose to work with our expert solicitors specialising in identity fraud, as we have many years of experience in successfully handling these types of cases.
No matter the circumstances, it is vital that you do not answer any police questions without a solicitor being present.
Our identity fraud solicitors provide:
- 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
- Representation anywhere in England or Wales
- Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
- Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)
How can we help?
Common questions
We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.
How quickly do you respond?
We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.
Can you get cases dropped?
Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.
We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you.
Have you won any awards?
OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED -
"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".
Do you offer free consultations?
Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about –
- Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
- Public and private funding benefits.
- Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
- An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
- Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
- The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
- Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
- Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
- Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
- If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
- This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
- Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.
Consultations do not apply to the following cases –
- If we do not intend to take the case on.
- Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
- In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
- Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
- The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
- The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
- In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
- If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
- If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance.
- If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
- If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
- To businesses.
- Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
- Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
- Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
- Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
- Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
- If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
- If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.
Speak to our identity fraud solicitors today
For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.
For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding identity fraud, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.
Our expertise with identity fraud
We have over 45 years’ worth of experience, which means that we have been able to work with countless individuals on a range of fraud cases, including those involving identity fraud. Recognised for our industry-leading expertise, our team are able to provide bespoke advice that is tailored to your circumstances.
Identity fraud penalties have the potential to be extremely serious, with prison sentences being a distinct possibility. This demonstrates the importance of instructing specialist legal support when you are subject to an identity fraud investigation, regardless of the precise allegations at play.
Our criminal defence team includes several accredited police station representatives who will be able to provide bespoke support on a 24/7 basis.
We have previously achieved successful outcomes for our clients, including in cases where court proceedings have been initiated as part of an investigation. If Magistrates’ or Crown Court cases are launched, our team have the necessary expertise to build a comprehensive defence.
In addition to this, we have established strong relationships with some of the country’s leading specialist fraud barristers. These relationships confirm that we will be able to provide you with the highest standard of legal representation, no matter your circumstances.
We are aware that being accused of identity fraud can be incredibly distressing, both for you and your loved ones. Our identity fraud solicitors recognise this and, as such, we will make sure to provide close personal support and keep you informed on the progress of your case.
We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation and have also achieved Lexcel accreditation, reflecting the high standards of our legal practice.
As a testament to the high standards of client care our team provides, we frequently receive referrals and recommendations from clients who have been satisfied with our legal services which we have been providing for over 45 years.
Pre-Charge bail
If you are interviewed by the police as part of an identity fraud investigation, you may be released on pre-charge bail. This is also simply referred to as being released on bail. When you are released on pre-charge bail
While you are on pre-charge bail, you are likely to be subject to certain bail conditions. These could restrict where you are able to go, or place requirements on you to attend the police station on a certain day.
To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail, please use the links provided below:
- Pre-charge bail and Released Under Investigation (RUI)
- On Bail But Not Charged - What Does It Mean?
- How long can you be on bail without charge UK?
Fees and funding
We are transparent on costs at all times, no matter your circumstances.
Legal aid public funding will be available in some cases, based on the seriousness of the case justifying the grant of public funding.
For clients who do not qualify for legal aid public funding, the alternative option will be to fund their case privately.
To find out more about the way we handle fees (both legal aid public funding and private fees), please use the links provided below:
- Our Fees – Crime Cases
- Do I Qualify for Criminal Legal Aid?
- Bespoke Crime Private Fee Service
- Will Your Private Legal Costs Increase?
- Do We Offer Free Consultations?
Related offences
Please note that our expert solicitors also provide advice and support with various related offences, including:
- Benefit Fraud
- Cash and asset forfeiture / cash seizure
- Conspiracy to Defraud
- Credit Card Fraud
- FCA Investigations
- False Accounting
- Fraud by Abuse of Position
- Fraudulent Trading Defence
- Immigration Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Mortgage Fraud
- SFO Investigations
- Tax Investigation and Tax Fraud
- VAT Fraud
Common questions about identity fraud
What is identity fraud?
To summarise, identity fraud involves the use of an individual’s stolen details to commit a crime. An individual’s identity can be used for a variety of illegal actions, often with the intention of making a financial gain.
What examples of identity fraud are there?
There are various different types of identity fraud for which you could be investigated for. For instance, you could be accused of identity fraud if you are accused of stealing documents, hacking into accounts or capturing data on a computer.
This is also where fake or forged passports, driving licences or identity documents are possessed or with the intention to commit a fraud.
Who investigates identity fraud?
Various types of identity fraud cases can be investigated by a range of authorities, including:
- HMRC
- Police
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA))
- The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
The authorities that are involved in a case will largely depend on the surrounding circumstances and the precise allegations at play.
What is the punishment for identity fraud?
Identity fraud offences will often be charged under the Fraud Act. The maximum punishment for identity fraud is ten years’ imprisonment.
Lesser sentences are likely to be handed out for identity fraud where an operation is considered to be less sophisticated, or where there are significant mitigating factors that have an influence on proceedings.
Contact our identity fraud solicitors now
If you are due to attend the police station for interview for allegations of identity fraud, or require any urgent specialist advice, immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
You can contact a member of our dedicated team of criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:
- Brent & Camden London Office:020 7624 7771
- Manchester Office:0161 835 1638
- Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
- City of London:0207 624 7771 our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.
Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk
Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
24/7 legal representation for identity fraud cases
Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert identity fraud solicitors, as well as for immediate advice and representation.
For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.
How can we help?
Useful Information
- How can I get the CPS to drop the charges against me?
- How can I get the police to drop charges against me?
- How can I get the police to caution me?
- Police Stop and Search UK
- Pre-charge bail - What You Need to Know
- Read our Police Station Advice Guide
- Recovering Your Property From The Police
- Released Under Investigation - What You Need to Know
- Types of Evidence used in Law
- Voluntary Police Interview - What You Need to Know
- What is a 'No further action' letter?
- What to expect in Police Custody
- Why Choose a Private Solicitor for a Magistrates' or Crown Court Case?