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McGuire Law

South Carolina Financial Transaction Card Fraud or Theft Defense Lawyer

Credit card fraud charges in South Carolina can arise from situations far more innocent than prosecutors make them appear—forgotten authorized user arrangements, disputed purchases your ex-partner made, employer credit cards used during messy terminations, or misunderstandings about which expenses were approved.

Facing Card Fraud Charges? Call Now for Free - Protect Your Future
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Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Financial Fraud Charges

Attorney Matt McGuire

Law enforcement agencies across South Carolina, from Charleston to Greenville, Columbia to Spartanburg, treat financial transaction card offenses with surprising aggression, pursuing felony prosecutions for relatively small purchases while banks and credit card companies push for criminal charges instead of civil collection. Whether you're accused of using someone else's card without permission, exceeding authorized limits, making false statements to obtain credit, or possessing card information with fraudulent intent, these charges carry prison time and permanent criminal records destroying your financial future.

Matt McGuire has defended financial crime cases throughout all 46 South Carolina counties for over 30 years, understanding that many prosecutions stem from civil disputes, authorized use that became disputed later, family conflicts, or employer retaliation disguised as theft complaints. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately—McGuire Law operates 24/7/365 because financial fraud cases require urgent action before evidence gets mischaracterized and your defenses erode.

The Legal Expertise of McGuire Law

Financial transaction card fraud prosecutions involve complex evidence trails, banking records, and digital forensics that require attorneys who understand both technology and criminal defense strategy. Our experience navigating these intricate cases gives South Carolina defendants the sophisticated representation they need.

White Collar Crime Defense

Extensive experience defending financial fraud charges including credit card fraud, debit card theft, and unauthorized use allegations throughout South Carolina's 46 counties.

Evidence Analysis Expertise

Meticulous review of transaction records, surveillance footage, and digital evidence to expose flaws in the prosecution's case and build compelling defense narratives.

Negotiation Mastery

Skilled at negotiating restitution agreements, charge reductions, and dismissals with prosecutors who would rather secure guaranteed outcomes than risk trial losses.

Pre-Indictment Intervention

Experience presenting evidence to prosecutors before grand jury proceedings, often preventing indictments entirely through early strategic intervention.

Federal Court Experience

Prepared to defend federal wire fraud and mail fraud charges when card fraud crosses state lines or involves interstate commerce elements.

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Who Faces Financial Card Fraud Charges

Card fraud charges affect people from all walks of life, often arising from misunderstandings, civil disputes, or situations that never should have become criminal matters.

Retail Employees

Workers accused of using customer card information obtained during checkout transactions for unauthorized personal purchases.

College Students

Students at USC, Clemson, Coastal Carolina, or other SC universities charged with using roommates' or parents' cards without explicit permission.

Family Members

Relatives who previously had authorized access to cards but allegedly continued using them after permission was revoked during disputes.

Ex-Spouses and Partners

Former partners charged with card fraud after using jointly-held cards or authorized user accounts following separation or divorce.

Hospitality Workers

Restaurant and hotel staff accused of running duplicate charges, adding unauthorized tips, or keeping customer card information.

Business Managers

Bookkeepers and managers accused of misusing company cards for personal expenses during employment disputes or termination conflicts.

Found Card Cases

Individuals who found lost cards and used them, often not understanding the serious criminal consequences versus keeping found property.

Civil Disputes Don't Belong in Criminal Court

Many card fraud charges stem from disputes that should be resolved through civil litigation, not criminal prosecution. We expose these cases for what they are.

McGuire Law's Core Values

When banks and prosecutors team up to turn civil disputes into criminal prosecutions, you need attorneys whose values prioritize your defense over the financial interests of credit card companies. Our commitment shapes every case we handle.

Immediate Action

Financial fraud investigations move quickly. We respond immediately to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and begin building your defense before the prosecution's case solidifies.

Meticulous Preparation

Every transaction record, authorization document, and communication gets reviewed. We leave no stone unturned in building defenses that expose prosecutorial overreach.

Strategic Thinking

We analyze every angle—from authorization defenses to challenging value calculations to exposing civil disputes masquerading as criminal cases—to achieve the best outcome.

Client-Centered Service

You'll work directly with Matt McGuire, who takes time to understand your situation, explain your options clearly, and keep you informed throughout the legal process.

Results Focus

Our goal is your freedom and future. Whether through dismissal, acquittal, charge reduction, or favorable plea negotiation, we pursue the outcome that protects you best.

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Powerful Defense Strategies We Deploy

Financial fraud charges have multiple potential defenses. We analyze every aspect of your case to identify the strategies most likely to succeed.

Authorization Defense

Proving you had actual or implied authorization from the cardholder based on prior permissions, family arrangements, or business relationships.

Mistaken Identity

Demonstrating through alibi evidence, surveillance footage showing someone else, or forensic analysis of transaction locations that you weren't responsible.

Value Calculation Challenges

Challenging prosecutors' value calculations by showing disputed charges, returns not credited, or inflated amounts aggregating unrelated transactions.

Civil Dispute Exposure

Exposing civil disputes weaponized as criminal prosecutions by angry ex-partners, vengeful employers, or family members seeking leverage.

Lack of Fraudulent Intent

Proving you reasonably believed you had permission, made honest mistakes, or acted under authorization that was later disputed.

Evidence Suppression

Filing motions to suppress evidence from illegal searches, improperly obtained financial records, or violations of your Fourth Amendment rights.

The McGuire Law Difference

Banks have unlimited resources to push criminal prosecutions that serve their financial interests. You need an attorney who understands their tactics and knows how to counter every move they make alongside prosecutors.

Understanding Bank Tactics

Credit card companies prefer criminal prosecution because it shifts recovery costs to taxpayers. We expose when banks use criminal courts to avoid civil collection costs.

Statewide Presence

Familiarity with prosecutors, judges, and court procedures across all 46 South Carolina counties gives our clients strategic advantages wherever charges arise.

Technology and Evidence Mastery

We understand digital transaction records, surveillance systems, and forensic evidence—knowing where to find proof of your innocence and holes in prosecution cases.

Restitution Negotiation

When appropriate, we negotiate restitution agreements where you repay disputed amounts in exchange for charge dismissals or reductions to non-criminal violations.

Federal Defense Ready

When card fraud involves interstate commerce, wire fraud, or mail fraud elements, we're prepared to defend you in federal court with the same aggressive advocacy.

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Collateral Consequences Beyond Prison Time

A financial fraud conviction creates devastating consequences that follow you for life, far beyond any prison sentence.

Professional Consequences

  • Permanent fraud conviction destroying employment in banking, finance, retail, healthcare, or any position requiring financial trust
  • Professional license revocations for CPAs, financial advisors, real estate agents, and insurance agents
  • Security clearance denials ending military careers and government employment
  • Inability to open bank accounts when institutions discover fraud convictions

Personal Consequences

  • Immigration consequences including deportation and permanent bars to citizenship
  • Credit destruction making mortgages, car loans, and apartment leases impossible
  • Restitution orders creating wage garnishments and judgment liens for decades
  • Federal student loan ineligibility affecting education and career training

SC Code § 16-14-20 Penalties

Under $2,000 within six months is a misdemeanor (up to 3 years). Over $2,000 escalates to felony status with significantly harsher penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Financial card fraud charges raise complex questions about authorization, intent, and the line between civil disputes and criminal conduct. Here are answers to the most pressing concerns.

What's the difference between misdemeanor and felony card fraud?

Fraud value determines the charge. Under $2,000 within six months is a misdemeanor carrying up to three years. Over $2,000 escalates to felony status. Prosecutors often aggregate transactions to reach felony thresholds.

Can I be charged if I had permission to use the card?

Authorization is a complete defense. We prove you had actual or implied permission through prior use patterns, communications, family arrangements, or business relationships that made your use reasonable.

What if this is really a civil dispute with my ex?

Many card fraud charges arise from divorces, breakups, or family conflicts. We expose when criminal courts are being used to gain leverage in civil matters and argue for dismissal.

Why do banks push for criminal charges?

Criminal prosecution shifts recovery costs to taxpayers, provides court-enforced restitution, and helps banks avoid chargebacks. We expose these financial motivations to judges and juries.

Can charges be dropped if I pay restitution?

Sometimes. We negotiate restitution agreements where repayment leads to charge dismissals or reductions. This works best when alleged victims acknowledge disputes were financial rather than criminal.

What if I found a card and used it?

Using found cards is serious, but defenses exist. We examine circumstances, your knowledge of ownership, and intent to determine the best defense strategy for your situation.

Can federal charges apply to card fraud?

Yes. When fraud involves interstate commerce, wire fraud, or mail fraud elements, federal prosecution becomes possible. We're prepared to defend in both state and federal courts.

Should I talk to bank investigators?

Never. Banks and prosecutors work together. Anything you say to bank investigators will be shared with law enforcement and used against you. Call us first.

Matt McGuire - Attorney

About South Carolina Attorney Matt McGuire

Matt McGuire South Carolina Criminal Defense Personal Injury Family Law Attorney

With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.

McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.

Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.

Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.

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Get Started Today

When financial transaction card fraud charges threaten your freedom and future, you need more than just any attorney – you need Matt McGuire and McGuire Law.

Don't speak to investigators without counsel—banks and prosecutors are not your friends. Every hour you wait allows evidence to be mischaracterized and defenses to erode. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your financial fraud defense case.

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Columbia Office

2001 Assembly Street, Suite 102-B
Columbia, SC 29201

(888) 499-5738

Contact McGuire Law Today

If you're facing financial transaction card fraud charges anywhere in South Carolina, contact Matthew McGuire immediately at (888) 499-5738 for experienced defense representation. Our firm has successfully defended white-collar and fraud cases in all 46 counties with a statewide reputation for protecting clients' freedom and futures. Don't speak to investigators without counsel—banks and prosecutors are not your friends. Call now, chat online, or schedule your free consultation. We're available 24/7/365 because your defense cannot wait.

"Smart strategy beats fast mistakes."