San Diego Business Fraud Attorney
Do you believe you have been the victim of business fraud in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California? Do you believe you have been coerced into a business transaction or business contract or lost money due to fraudulent misrepresentations or falsehoods? What can the Watkins Firm San Diego business related fraud attorneys do to help?
If an individual or even a company misrepresents facts or information, lies, falsifies financial documents or statements or omits important details in order to entice you into a business deal you may have a valid civil lawsuit for business fraud. The Watkins Firm has more than 40 years of experience in civil business-related disputes such as business fraud and unfair business practices.
California has several different laws which apply to aspects of business fraud which create unfair or unjustifiable benefit at the expense of another or cause financial loss (damages) or business harm.
What Constitutes Business Fraud or Unfair Business Practices
Generally speaking, a business related fraud occurs when any party to a transaction or contract makes false material statements or knowingly provides false data or financial information which is relied upon by another party in order to make business related decisions. The knowing or intentional omission of information or facts or commission of a fraud in order to compel another party to take an action can also constitute a basis for business fraud. It can also lead to allegations of unfair business practices.
Unfair business practices often involve deceptive or manipulative practices between business partners, members and shareholders or between those who are in a position of trust over another. Here in California, we have laws which require a all businesses, suppliers and even customers to conduct honest dealing in all business transactions. Honest disclosures, prospectus data and financial information as well as the fulfillment of contracts and the promises they contain form the basis for California business transactions.
When one of the parties to a business transaction or contract makes false representations or statements, issues bad checks, forges signatures or commits any other type of fraud the basis for a transaction is violated and financial damages result. In addition, fraudulent activity can occur through embezzlement or misappropriation of funds or trade secrets, falsification or modification of tax filings or reports, creating false suppliers or employees to siphon funds, falsifying accounting records or financial statements or reports or misrepresenting the income or losses of a business in order to entice a sale, merger or acquisition.
Listen to one of our Recent Sound Business Insights Podcasts:
“Episode 32- Business Fraud”
Resolving Disputes or Pursuing Legal Action on Behalf of Victims of Business Fraud
In Order to successfully bring a business fraud case, the Watkins Firm must prove:
A material false statement, purposeful misrepresentation or omission was made (deception, lies)
The perpetrator of fraud knows the statement is false and intends to cause you to take an action
The defrauded party reasonably relied upon these false statements or omissions
The business fraud resulted in measurable harm or damages
Have you or your business lost money due to what you believe to be fraudulent actions? The experienced fraud and business litigation attorneys at the Watkins Firm can help. These cases require our skilled trial attorneys in order to establish specific elements of proof based upon the type of fraudulent activity in each case.
There are elements of fraud which exist in most circumstances including elements of deception, misrepresentation, omission or the concealment of facts which enticed the victim to make a decision or enter into an agreement based upon falsities. There may even be cases where the perpetrator genuinely believed what they were putting forward but our client suffers harm due to a negligent lack of due diligence on the part of the perpetrator.
California fraud cases should successfully establish the basis for fraud resulting in the recovery of all financial related damages as well as the potential for “punitive” damages which can include legal fees.
Our attorneys work effectively to establish the facts in your fraud case as well as resulting damages and the potential for a punitive award. We immediately pursue appropriate legal remedies to protect our client’s interests while working to achieve their goals and objectives in the matter.
Contact Experienced San Diego Business Fraud Attorneys
Unfortunately, fraud is quite common in California businesses. It is most often found in departments with employees who have access to business funds or accounting such as purchasing, sales, customer service, accounting and executive or management positions.
However, business professionals and investors alike should perform extensive due diligence in many business transactions such as mergers and/or acquisitions, stock purchase transactions, asset purchases (where debtors may try to liquidate assets and hide the money from rightful creditors) as well as taking a position in a company as a member or shareholder.
If you believe you are the victim of business related fraud in San Diego you will need the advice, counsel and legal skill of experienced San Diego business fraud attorneys at the Watkins Firm. We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.
Learn how the Watkins Firm can and will work to protect your financial and business interests while seeking the appropriate financial recovery and other remedies available under California law.