Don’t let a federal investigation ruin your reputation

Being accused of a white-collar crime is a serious problem for anyone running a business or working high up in a business. You don’t want to be accused of fraud, because it can hurt your reputation and your business’s profits if the news reaches the media. You could lose your job and find it very difficult to find a new job in the future due to past charges that could come up in internet searches or other local news reports.

Not all accusations of white-collar crimes are made in good faith, and even those that are can be incorrect or misinformed. Sadly, you will be impacted even if the allegations are false. These accusations can result in investigations, but even if the end result is innocence, your reputation could still be badly damaged.

What do you need to do to protect yourself against fraud charges?

The first thing you should know is that you have a right to speak with your attorney if there is even a hint that you could face charges or be a part of an investigation. Even if you’re not the primary party being investigated, it’s a good idea to get your attorney on board early and to catch them up to speed on what the investigation is about. Not doing so could result in your saying or doing something you didn’t know could affect you or result in your self-incrimination.