Fraud is using deception, trickery or misrepresentation to obtain something from someone else that they wouldn’t have given you otherwise. Michigan recognizes a broad range of variations on criminal fraud across numerous statutes. Some types of fraud include identity theft, uttering and publishing (commonly known as passing bad checks), credit card fraud and false pretenses with intent to defraud. The penalty for certain fraud offenses can be very severe, and if you are convicted, you will suffer a life-long stigma as someone that committed a crime of deception, which can have a negative influence on your career and your capacity to find a job.