One type of crime you do not hear much about is white-collar crime. They happen all over the world, but unless they are famous people or large cases, you do not generally hear a lot about them.
There are, however, several that stand out, particularly in the State of Florida.
White-collar crime definition
Some people refer to white-collar crime as victimless. This is not true. What they really mean is that a white-collar crime is usually non-violent. It is often an attempt to defraud in a way that causes a business or person to suffer significant financial losses. These losses can include property and other assets.
1: Fraud and Misrepresentation
Fraud and misrepresentation involve crimes like:
- Insurance scams – either using someone else’s insurance or faking insurance claims.
- Government fraud – defrauding programs such as SNAP and other welfare programs.
- Ponzi/investment schemes – investment schemes where there is no payout or the money is openly taken.
- Online scams – scams requesting money in exchange for a larger amount, like the Nigerian Prince email scam.
Many of the victims of these crimes are elderly or impaired.
2: Embezzlement
Embezzlement is one of the more popular white-collar crimes. The government sometimes refers to this as conversion. It is a crime where the person who manages the money takes it instead. This can be petty cash theft or skimming large amounts of money from a business or government.
3: Identity theft and forgery
A hacker or criminal takes the intensity of another in this type of white-collar crime. This crime can take place online or by the act of forging someone’s signature.
Each of these crimes is very serious and certainly not victimless. Florida is right in line with other states as to the severity or frequency of these crimes.