Knowing your options when you've been defrauded or sued for fraud

Almost all interactions between people come with the risk that the person on the other side of the transaction might abscond with your funds and disappear. Lately, people have gotten more bold and have opted for the strategy of digging their heels and refusing to refund money. Some parties even simply just stall the litigation process.

It can be a very debilitating and demoralizing feeling being defrauded of your money. Hard earned cash or funds inherited from a loving relative can be an even harder emotional blow. Families and friendships are only as strong as the trust that binds them; but when that trust is tested and broken, disaster usually follows.

Throughout the United States, the courts have consistently taken a harsh view of fraudsters, both in a civil and criminal context. And the laws on the books throughout the various states reflect this.

In Bankruptcy courts, for example, case law shows a long string of court opinions that allow judges to infer an intent to bilk creditors of their money looking at the totality of the debtor's behavior: Did he transfer his home to his sister for pennies on the dollar? Did he suddenly make gigantic withdrawals of cash from his accounts in the months before filing for bankruptcy protection? Absent a black-and-white statement amounting to "My intent is and has always been to defraud my creditors," the courts often have to piece together a picture of liability.

Today, fraud is everywhere. It seems that as more time passes, fraud is almost to be expected in any new business venture.

If you've been accused of fraud, you must respond swiftly and correctly. If you've been sued for fraud, you must seek legal counsel immediately of you may suffer a default against you.

If you've been defrauded yourself, you