Civil fraud is misrepresentation of a material fact which unlawfully causes damage. In some situations it can be the failure to disclose a fact (an omission) which the law requires to be disclosed. Civil fraud is divided into statutory violations (e.g. federal or state securities fraud) and common law violations (fraud, misrepresentation, and deceit). It overlaps other areas of civil law such as consumer protection, investor protection, and business regulation. Criminal fraud is theft or embezzlement in violation of a specific statute.