Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes are types of white-collar crime. Although people sometimes confuse them, they each use different tactics to fraudulently separate people from their money. In this article, we discuss the differences between Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes.
What is a Ponzi Scheme?
False Claims Act Basics
Each year, the United States government loses hundreds of billions of dollars due to fraud. The False Claims Act ("FCA") was enacted to reclaim some of these funds. The FCA allows private individuals to sue for certain violations on behalf of the government. The government frequently takes lead on these cases and...
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
Federal law defines “catastrophic injury” as an injury with direct and proximate consequences that permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work. In other words, a catastrophic injury is so serious that it leaves the victim with permanent damage. These types of injuries, which often involve damage to the brain or...
White Collar Crime Myths
White collar crime myths create common misunderstandings for those accused of violating the law. Television and movies often portray white-collar criminals as serving “easy time” in minimum-security prisons. Although this may be semi-accurate in some cases, white-collar criminals also sometimes receive lengthy prison sentences. Therefore, when it comes to white-collar...
Consequences of White Collar Crime
Consequences of white collar crime, include prison, substantial fines, and restitution. In addition to criminal penalties, white collar offenses often give rise to civil lawsuits. Although it is nonviolent in nature, the authorities take white collar crime very seriously. Anyone the government accuses of a white collar crime must take it seriously....
Common White Collar Crimes
Common types of white collar crimes range in nature and scope. They all typically involve financially motivated crimes committed by businesses and government professionals. The penalties associated with white-collar crimes can be severe. Anyone the government accuses of a white-collar crime should immediately seek the help of an experienced white-collar criminal defense...
What Are Upcoding and Unbundling?
Health care fraud occurs when a medical provider intentionally submits false or misleading information for use in determining the amount of health care benefits payable. Upcoding and unbundling are forms of health care fraud. At times, innocent health care providers can be routinely accused of upcoding, unbundling, and other forms of health...
Penalties of Health Care Fraud
Penalties for health care fraud violations can range in type and severity. Over the last several years, the federal government has been aggressively cracking down on health care fraud. Health care fraud is a type of crime that involves the filing of dishonest health care claims. Anyone who is convicted of health...
Common Types of Health Care Fraud
Health care fraud can take many forms, but there are common types of health care fraud schemes frequently prosecuted by the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). It is also a frequent subject of False Claims Act (“FCA”) qui tam suits. FCA actions have resulted in the recovery of billions of dollars on...
Choosing a Health Care Fraud Defense Attorney
If you are a health care provider who has been accused of fraud, you need to hire an attorney—and quick. However, not just any attorney will do. You must find a health care fraud defense attorney who will give you the best shot at a successful outcome in your case. Picking the...