What are false pretenses?

When an individual commits the crime of false pretenses, they misrepresent a fact in order to acquire someone else's property. Depending on the state statute, the property acquired by false pretenses can include tangible personal property, like a car or house, and intangible property, such as information or ideas. If you believe that you have been defrauded by false pretenses, contact the police.

UPDATED: Jul 17, 2023Fact Checked

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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UPDATED: Jul 17, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 17, 2023

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We strive to help you make confident insurance and legal decisions. Finding trusted and reliable insurance quotes and legal advice should be easy. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.

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