Houston Trial Attorney For Complex Cases Involving Business Fraud

Business fraud occurs when an individual or business entity intentionally deceives another party in order to gain an advantage. Anyone who is involved in business transactions can be at risk for business fraud. While not all corporate fraud can be considered criminal, you may be able to pursue civil remedies to compensate you for your losses. If you have been accused of business or corporate fraud, you will also need to consult a business fraud attorney to help ensure that your reputation is not harmed.

To schedule an appointment with a top-rated business fraud attorney, please call Patterson PC at 713-804-9318 or complete our contact form. We represent clients throughout the Houston area and all of Texas.

Get The Strategic Representation You Need

At Patterson PC, we handle cases involving a wide variety of business fraud concerns, including:

• Intentional contract breaches
• Negligence in upholding contracts
• Fraudulent concealing of facts
• Securities fraud
• Bribery
• Conspiracies
• Misleading advertisement
• Embezzlement
• Employment-related fraud

Achieving Cost-Efficient Legal Solutions

Patterson PC can help victims of fraud investigate the alleged fraudulent practices and assess what damage has been done. Depending on the specific circumstances, you may be able to recover:

• Monetary damages
• Punitive damages
• Attorney fees

Business fraud can have long-term implications for you and your business, so it is essential that you put an experienced business litigation lawyer on your side as soon as possible. If you have been wrongly accused of fraud or misrepresentation, we can also help defend you against the baseless claims.

We are well-versed in all aspects of negotiation, arbitration, mediation and litigation. Although we always initially seek to resolve matters outside of court, we realize that this is not always possible. That is why we make every case trial-ready. Doing so helps to ensure that you are in the strongest possible position to win. Our Houston business fraud attorneys are powerhouse trial lawyers who have achieved a high level of success in cases involving a wide variety of business disputes and fraud.

See our case results and client testimonials to learn more about the high level of service and representation that we provide.

Steps To Take If You Suspect Business Fraud

Discovering signs of business fraud can be alarming, but taking the right steps quickly can help protect your company and potentially recover losses. Here’s a guide on what to do if you suspect fraud in your business:

1. Stay calm and gather information: Start by staying calm and collecting all related information. Keep records of emails, invoices, contracts and anything else connected to the suspected fraud. Detailed documentation makes it easier to spot the fraud and take action. Don’t accuse anyone without solid proof, as this might cause more problems.
2. Conduct an internal investigation: Begin an investigation to understand the details and size of the fraud. This could mean checking financial records, talking to employees and looking for any unusual transactions. Keep everything confidential during this process to avoid alerting those involved. If the case is complicated, you might hire an external auditor or a forensic accountant for help.
3. Report to authorities: When you have enough evidence, report the fraud to the right authorities. This could be local law enforcement, such as the financial crimes unit of your police department or agencies like the Texas State Securities Board for securities issues. Give them all your evidence to help with their investigation.
4. Consult with a business fraud attorney: Find a lawyer who knows business fraud to help you with the legal steps. They can explain your rights, guide you on dealing with authorities and help you take legal actions to recover losses. A lawyer can also make sure you follow all the rules and protect your business.
5. Strengthen internal controls: Review and improve your internal controls to stop future fraud. This might mean setting up stronger checks and balances, doing regular audits and providing fraud awareness training for employees. Promote a clear and honest company culture to make it harder for fraud to happen.

Taking these steps promptly and efficiently can help mitigate the impact of fraud on your business and prevent future incidents.

Texas Business Fraud FAQ

Business fraud can pose significant challenges for companies, impacting their financial health and reputation. Here, we address some of the most common questions about business fraud to help business owners and employees better understand and protect against fraudulent activities.

What are the most common types of business fraud in Houston, Texas?

In Houston, Texas, different types of business fraud often affect companies and people. Contract fraud happens when one side lies or leaves out important details to trick the other side into signing a contract. This can cause significant financial losses and legal disputes, especially in Houston’s busy energy and construction businesses.

Embezzlement is another common type of fraud. This happens when people entrusted with money or assets take them for themselves. With Houston’s large companies, like those in oil and gas, embezzlement can involve a lot of money, causing serious financial and reputation damage.

Other types of fraud can also affect investors and businesses in Houston. Securities fraud involves tricking investors about a company’s financial health, often using false or missing information. Misrepresentation can happen in different business deals, leading to bad decisions. Employment-related fraud, like lying about qualifications or benefits fraud, also challenges Houston businesses. Doing thorough background checks and keeping clear communication can help reduce these risks.

How can a Houston business owner protect against fraud?

To protect against fraud, Houston business owners should set up strong internal controls. This means creating checks and balances in the company so no single employee has too much control over any financial process. For example, they can separate duties in financial transactions, require two approvals for large expenses and regularly conducting audits. These steps make the work environment more transparent and accountable, reducing the risk of fraud.

Regular employee training is also important. By teaching staff about the signs of fraud and the importance of ethical behavior, businesses can build a culture of integrity. Training sessions should cover how to recognize fraud, report suspicious behavior and understand the consequences. With this knowledge, employees can actively help protect company assets.

Consulting with a business fraud lawyer who knows Texas laws can also provide valuable advice. A knowledgeable lawyer can help create strong fraud prevention strategies and offer legal help if fraud happens. By using these strategies, Houston business owners can greatly lower their risk of fraud.

How do I report suspected business fraud in Houston, Texas?

First report suspected fraud to the local authorities. Start by contacting the Houston Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit, which handles fraud investigations. They will help you file a report and might ask for evidence related to the suspected fraud. You can also report the fraud to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which has a special division for handling white collar crimes. Giving as much detailed information as you can will help them investigate.

Besides local law enforcement, you might report the fraud to state agencies like the Texas State Securities Board if it involves securities, or the Texas Attorney General’s Office for broader consumer protection issues. These agencies have expertise in handling specific types of fraud and can offer additional support in taking legal action against those involved.

Talking to a lawyer who knows business fraud is also important. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and what you need to do under Texas law to protect your interests. They can help you gather evidence, deal with authorities and pursue legal actions if needed.

Contact Patterson PC

To arrange a meeting with an experienced trial attorney, please call us in Houston at 713-804-9318 or complete our contact form. We represent clients in the Houston area and throughout Texas.