{"id":352030,"date":"2023-08-23T10:21:25","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T15:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/credit-debit-card-fraud.html"},"modified":"2025-11-03T16:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T21:47:10","slug":"credit-debit-card-fraud","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/credit-debit-card-fraud.html","title":{"rendered":"Credit Card Fraud Charges and Penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Credit Card Fraud Charges and Penalties<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Credit card fraud<\/span> involves the theft of a debit or credit card, or the unauthorized use of another person’s <\/span>credit card<\/span> information<\/span>, to charge purchases for the offender’s own use. Both physically stealing and using another person\u2019s credit card<\/span>\/debit card<\/span> and stealing credit card numbers<\/span> from unprotected websites and card readers can lead to a credit card fraud<\/span> charge<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

While the crime of credit card fraud<\/span> is not new, it continues to increase in frequency due to the increase in online shopping. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of <\/span>credit card fraud<\/span>, along with the federal and state laws<\/span><\/a> that prohibit such activity. We will also discuss the penalties and defenses available for a person facing credit card fraud<\/span> charges<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you’re facing criminal charges<\/span> for credit card fraud<\/span>, contact a local criminal defense lawyer<\/span><\/a> to discuss your case.<\/p>\n

Types of <\/span>Credit Card Fraud<\/span><\/h2>\n

Debit and credit card fraud<\/span> are common forms of\u00a0identity theft<\/span><\/a>. Over recent years, there has been an increase in the number of credit card fraud<\/span> cases<\/span>, as more people rely on the internet to make online purchases<\/span> and pay bills.<\/p>\n

There are a variety of ways a person can commit credit card\u00a0fraud<\/span>, including:<\/p>\n