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What Constitutes Bank Fraud?

What Constitutes Bank Fraud?

Money issues can be stressful. However, when legal issues become intertwined with financial ones, that stress can escalate rapidly. Bank fraud is a serious crime that involves using deception or illegal means to get money or assets from a bank or financial institution. If you or someone you know is facing these charges, it’s vital to understand their meaning. Wilkins Davis Attorneys at Law can help in Upstate South Carolina. We’ll defend your rights and guide you through the legal process.

A woman is receiving a bank fraud alert on a mobile device in Upstate and Columbia, SC
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Understanding the Basics of Bank Fraud

Bank fraud happens when someone knowingly carries out a plan to cheat a financial institution. This usually means lying or using tricks to get money, credits, or other property that belongs to the bank.
To be convicted, the government usually has to prove two main things. First, they must show that the person had a plan to commit fraud. Second, they must show that the person executed – or tried to execute – that plan. One doesn’t have to succeed in stealing the money to be charged. The mere attempt to trick the bank can be enough to warrant an arrest.

 

Common Bank Fraud Examples

Understanding the different types of bank fraud can shed light on why these laws are so strict. A few common examples include:

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Check Fraud

This involves using checks illegally to get money. It could mean writing checks on a closed account, forging someone else’s signature on a check, or altering the amount written on a check.

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Loan Fraud

This occurs when someone falsifies information on a loan application. For example, a person might claim to make more money than they actually do to secure a mortgage or business loan.

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Identity Theft

If someone steals another person’s personal information to open bank accounts or get credit cards, that’s a form of bank fraud.

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Stolen Checks

Taking checks from someone’s mail or home and using them is a crime.

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Internet Fraud

This includes phishing scams that are used to steal bank login details.

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Possible Penalties for Bank Fraud

The government takes these crimes very seriously. Because the federal government often insures banks, these cases are usually handled in federal court. If convicted, a person may face very steep fines, sometimes as high as $1,000,000. In addition to money, there’s the risk of prison time. A conviction can lead to a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

The severity of the punishment often depends on the amount of money involved and the person’s criminal history. But even a lighter bank fraud penalty can result in a permanent criminal record, which may make it difficult to secure employment or housing in the future.

 

How Do Bank Fraud Investigations Work?

A bank fraud investigation is often long and detailed. It’s not like a traffic stop, where everything happens at once. Federal agencies like the FBI or the Secret Service often handle these cases.
The bank fraud investigation process usually starts when a bank notices something suspicious and reports it to the authorities. From there, investigators will start gathering evidence. This can include:

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Reviewing Bank Records

Investigators will look at transaction histories, emails, and loan documents.

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Surveillance

In some cases, they might watch a suspect or monitor their online activity.

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Interviews

Investigators will talk to bank employees, witnesses, and potential suspects.

Because these investigations take time, you might not know you’re being investigated until agents show up at your door.

 

What to Do If You’re Accused of Bank Fraud

If you learn you’re part of an investigation, act wisely. Do not talk to investigators without a lawyer present. The laws are complex, and investigators are trained to get you to admit guilt. Seek a bank fraud lawyer as soon as possible. The legal team at Wilkins Davis Attorneys at Law can step in to protect your rights, handle communication with the police, and start building your defense right away.

 

FAQ About Bank Fraud

Call Wilkins Davis Attorneys at Law to discuss your circumstances, but please also review answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bank fraud.

 

Is Bank Fraud a Federal or State Crime?

It can be both, but it’s most often prosecuted as a federal crime because most banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Federal charges typically carry more severe penalties than state charges.

 

Can I Go to Jail If I Didn’t Steal Any Money?

Yes. You can be charged and convicted simply for attempting fraud. The law punishes the scheme or the plan to defraud, not just the final result.

 

What If I Made a Mistake on My Loan Application?

Fraud requires intent. If you made an honest mistake, a bank fraud lawyer can help show that you did not intend to commit a crime.

 

Contact Us for Bank Fraud Legal Help

If you’re in Columbia, SC, or the Upstate, Wilkins Davis Attorneys at Law can protect you against federal bank fraud charges. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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“At Wilkins  Davis, we bring the same dedication and tenacity I honed as Solicitor to every client we serve. Our firm is built on a foundation of trust, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of justice, ensuring that each individual receives personalized attention and robust representation tailored to their needs. We’re here to guide you through life’s toughest moments with compassion and expertise, delivering results that matter.”
 
— Walt Wilkins
 

Meet William W. “Billy” Wilkins

Practice Areas:
Shareholder Litigation, Business & Commercial Disputes, Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense

William W. “Billy” Wilkins is a former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, former United States District Judge, and the first Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission. His legal and public service career spans more than five decades and includes landmark contributions to federal sentencing policy, military service, and leadership in both the judiciary and the private sector.

Career Timeline

Early Legal & Public Service

  • Native of Greenville, SC

  • Clerked for a federal appeals court judge and served as a legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator

  • Elected Solicitor (District Attorney), 13th Judicial Circuit (1974); re-elected in 1978

  • Established South Carolina’s first:

    • Joint state-federal task force

    • Victim-Witness Assistance Program

    • Child Abuse Prosecution Unit

    • Pretrial Diversion Program

  • Honored annually through the “Billy Wilkins Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement”

Federal Judicial Service

  • Appointed by President Reagan as U.S. District Judge, District of South Carolina (1981)

  • Named first Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission (1985–1994)

  • Appointed U.S. Circuit Judge, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (1986)

  • Elevated to Chief Judge, Fourth Circuit (2003–2007); took senior status in 2007

  • Chair, Committee on Criminal Law (appointed by Chief Justice Rehnquist)

  • Member, Judicial Conference of the United States

Academic Roles

  • Taught Criminal Law & Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Family Law for 24 years at Greenville Technical College

Education

  • J.D., University of South Carolina School of Law

    • Editor-in-Chief, South Carolina Law Review

    • Captain, Moot Court Team

    • Order of Wig and Robe

    • Outstanding Graduate of the Year

Military Service

  • 27 years of combined service in U.S. Army (active/reserve) and South Carolina National Guard

  • Served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as State Judge Advocate

  • Retired Brigadier General

  • Recipient, Legion of Merit for Meritorious Service

Community & Professional Involvement

  • Certified Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association (2009–present)

  • Permanent Member, Judicial Conference of the United States

  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

  • Member, American Bar Association

  • Member, South Carolina Bar

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America® (2025): Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar

  • Honorary Doctor of Laws: University of South Carolina, Charleston School of Law, Anderson University

  • Honorary Doctor of Public Service: Coastal Carolina University

  • Martindale Hubbell “AV Preeminent” Rating

  • ABA Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Order of the Palmetto, S.C.'s highest civilian honor

  • Exemplary Service Award, SC Chapter, American Board of Trial Advocacy

  • Best Lawyers in America: White-Collar, Bet-the-Company, and Appellate (since 2010)

  • Chambers USA: “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (since 2010)

  • “Lawyer of the Year,” Greenville, SC – Best Lawyers (2013, 2014, 2016, 2020–2025)

  • “Legal Elite of the Upstate,” Greenville Business Magazine (multiple categories, 2016, 2018–2020, 2022–2024)

  • “Top Lawyers,” TALK Greenville Magazine (2022–2024)

  • “Top 25 South Carolina Super Lawyers,” Thomson Reuters (2012–2020)

  • International Compliance & Ethics Award, Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics (2018)

  • “Top 25 Attorneys in SC,” Columbia Living Magazine (2017)

  • Trial and Appellate Advocacy Award, South Carolina Bar (2013)

  • Compleat Lawyer Platinum Award, USC Law Alumni Council (2012)

  • Featured in The Greenville Journal cover story: “The Life and Trials of William Walter Wilkins” (2011)

  • Keynote Speaker, Southern High Court Conference: “How Court Decisions Impact Economic Development” (2011)

  • Instrumental in securing Boeing’s move to North Charleston, SC; publicly credited by Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn McConnell and featured in Columbia Regional Business Report (2010)

Publications & Speaking

Judge Wilkins has testified before numerous Congressional committees and lectured across the U.S. and internationally. His authored works include:

  • Discovery of Existence and Amount of Defendant's Insurance Policy, 17 S.C.L. Rev. 750 (1965)

  • Lockouts: Return to the Common Law Ruling, 18 S.C.L. Rev. 299 (1966)

  • The Family Purpose Doctrine, 18 S.C.L. Rev. 638 (1966)

  • Plea Negotiations and Sentencing Guidelines, 23 Wake Forest L. Rev. 181 (1988)

  • Sentencing Reform and Appellate Review, 46 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 429 (1989)

  • Relevant Conduct: The Cornerstone of the Guidelines, 41 S.C.L. Rev. 495 (1990)

  • The U.S. Sentencing Commission: Its Many Missions, 55 Federal Probation 26 (1991)

  • The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, 2 Crim. L. Forum 355 (1991)

  • The Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Striking a Balance, 25 U.C. Davis L. Rev. 571 (1992)

  • Comments on Federal Sentencing Guidelines Symposium, 29 Am. Crim. L. Rev. 795 (1992)

  • The Role of Amendments in Reducing Disparity, 50 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 63 (1993)

  • Competing Sentencing Policies in a Drug Era, 28 Wake Forest L. Rev. 305 (1993)

The Legal, Political, and Social Implications of the Death Penalty, 41 U. Richmond L. Rev. 793 (2007)

Meet Lane Davis

Lane Davis is a seasoned litigator with a practice spanning a broad range of complex civil litigation, including business torts, health care and managed care disputes, securities, ERISA, employment, trade secrets, non-compete litigation, RICO, public corruption, wrongful death, product liability, utility disputes, class actions, professional negligence, and FLSA collective actions.

Lane represents an equally diverse array of clients, including product manufacturers, hospital systems, health benefit coordinators, federal contractors, public utilities, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, public officials, lenders, chemical companies, nonprofits, and individuals.

Known for his strategic mindset, creativity, and courtroom acumen, Lane approaches each case with a problem-solving mentality that goes beyond conventional tactics. He has significant trial experience and has managed litigation in at least 13 jurisdictions across the country.

Lane has been recognized by Greenville Business Magazine as a “Legal Elite of the Upstate” in multiple categories, including Business Litigation, Corporate Investigations, and Government Relations. He is also listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation.

He earned his J.D. from Emory University School of Law, where he received the Certificate of Excellence in Criminal Litigation, and his undergraduate degree from Boston College.

Representative Cases

Class Action & Collective Action Litigation

  1. Defeated class certification in a federal ERISA case with over $15M at stake, resolving the matter favorably mid-trial.
  2. Achieved dismissals with prejudice in class actions involving product exposure and toxic torts in U.S. Virgin Islands and West Virginia.
  3. Prosecuted class action to secure declaratory and injunctive relief, shielding client from $50M in potential liability.
  4. Obtained summary judgment in pricing discrimination case for utility client.
  5. Limited scope of FLSA collective actions in multiple jurisdictions, leading to favorable settlements for national retailers and managed care providers.
  6. Obtained dismissal with prejudice in a federal class action alleging violations of RICO and ERISA.
  7. Obtained favorable settlement terms in nationwide data breach case pending in multi-district litigation.Obtained dismissal and favorable results in multiple actions brought under the Fair Labor and Standards Act.

Health Care & Managed Care Litigation

  • Secured dismissal of federal suit brought by insurer against health benefits manager.
  • Recovered nearly $3M in unpaid claims in multi-year, multi-state litigation.
  • Represented major hospital system in litigation challenging corporate restructuring.
  • Guided managed care client through high-stakes vendor termination involving data exposure and IT continuity.

Business & Tort Litigation

  • Blocked fraudulent takeover of renewable energy project supporting scholarships for underprivileged youth.
  • Secured $11M settlement against a global pharmaceutical company via federal court injunction.
  • Won defense verdicts in multi-million dollar contract interference and franchise disputes.
  • Obtained judgments and injunctive relief in cross-border fraud and commercial contract disputes.
  • Halted improper municipal zoning efforts threatening national restaurant and retail chains.

Employment & Non-Compete Disputes

  • Defended public officials, national employers, and manufacturers in severance, discrimination, and restrictive covenant cases.
  • Defeated claims and obtained favorable resolutions in trade secret and injunctive relief matters.
  • Navigated complex contempt proceedings involving out-of-state non-compete enforcement.

Public Entity & Governmental Litigation

  • Secured defense verdicts and favorable settlements in public corruption, regulatory, and constitutional claims.
  • Obtained sanctions and court orders against state agencies for discovery violations.
  • Litigated public nuisance claims, civil rights defenses, and regulatory takings for utilities and municipalities.
  • Represented government attorneys and departments in high-profile Section 1983 and post-conviction proceedings.

Product Liability & Wrongful Death

  • Eliminated liability in multi-fatality fire case against a national retailer.
  • Secured summary judgment in aircraft defect litigation involving zinc-coated bolts.
  • Conducted successful pre-litigation defense investigations in catastrophic injury matters.

Probate & Fiduciary Litigation

  • Achieved favorable settlements in will contests and fiduciary malfeasance claims involving multimillion-dollar estates.
  • Recovered assets misappropriated from incapacitated individuals.

Other Notable Litigation

  • Defended and prevailed in Hague Convention child abduction case.
  • Obtained favorable outcomes in privacy torts, defective construction, and child abuse litigation.
  • Recovered over $1M in settlement for construction defects; prosecuted abuse claims on behalf of children harmed in a franchised daycare.

Recognition

  • Legal Elite of the Upstate, Greenville Business Magazine (2024)

The Best Lawyers in America – Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Meet Walt Wilkins

Walt Wilkins was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. He graduated from Wofford College in 1996 and earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1999.

Walt began his legal career as an in-house attorney for Lockheed Martin Aircraft in Córdoba, Argentina. In 2000, he returned to Greenville to join the law firm of Leatherwood, Walker, Todd & Mann, where he focused on civil litigation, criminal defense, and immigration law. During this time, he also served as an adjunct professor at Greenville Technical College and was recognized as the 2003 “Young Lawyer of the Year” by the American Board of Trial Advocates.

In 2005, Walt was appointed Assistant United States Attorney in the Greenville office, where he prosecuted a wide range of complex federal crimes. His work included one of the largest mortgage fraud cases in the district, a large-scale illegal gambling operation resulting in a major forfeiture, and a high-profile human trafficking case. He received multiple awards for his prosecutorial excellence, including the U.S. Secret Service Award for Outstanding Prosecution, the U.S. Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Prosecutor, and recognition for Outstanding Contribution to the Asset Forfeiture Program. Walt is also a permanent member of the 4th Circuit Judicial Conference.

On May 7, 2008, President George W. Bush appointed Walt as the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and became the state’s 49th U.S. Attorney. In this role, he served as South Carolina’s chief federal prosecutor and chaired the District’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee. His top priorities included violent crime, gang activity, and white-collar crime. Under his leadership, several of the most violent and organized gangs in the state were dismantled in collaboration with state and local law enforcement agencies.

In 2010, Walt was elected Solicitor for South Carolina’s 13th Judicial Circuit, serving Greenville and Pickens counties. Sworn in January 2011, he served three terms and remained in office until 2023, making him one of the longest-serving solicitors in state history. As Solicitor, he launched a number of key initiatives, including the Worthless Check Program, a Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit focused on crimes against children, and the expansion of the Juvenile Arbitration Program into Greenville County. He was appointed to the South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination by Governor Nikki Haley.

In 2019, Walt helped launch the Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) alongside Sheriff Johnny Mack Brown and local police chiefs. This initiative brought together multiple agencies to target drug crimes with the shared goal of creating a safer community for Greenville County residents.

Walt is widely respected for his leadership, legal acumen, and commitment to public service. He brings to Wilkins Davis a deep understanding of both the federal and state justice systems and decades of trial experience in some of the most complex and high-profile cases in South Carolina and beyond.

Walt is married to the former Donyelle Burton, and together they have three children.