Computer Fraud Overview

Computer fraud includes a range of crimes such as unauthorized computer use, creation of computer viruses, posing as an Internet seller but sending no goods, copyright infringement, false online advertising, and electronic theft of funds, data, personal information, intellectual property, or software. An example is sending spam or "phishing" emails, in which a thief poses as a company, government agency, or bank in hopes of obtaining other people's personal information.

The Department of Justice's Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section prosecutes computer fraud, with convictions leading to jail time and fines. Computer fraud lawyers know the information you need to protect yourself from becoming a victim, or to stop being a victim if you have already become one.