{"id":376428,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-credit-and-debit-card-fraud.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T23:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T04:00:00","slug":"tennessee-credit-and-debit-card-fraud","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-credit-and-debit-card-fraud.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Credit and Debit Card Fraud"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee Credit and Debit Card Fraud<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

The use of credit or debit cards<\/a> for everyday purchases has increased significantly in recent years. However, as the use of these cards has become more prevalent, so has credit card fraud. When a person isn’t authorized to use a credit or debit card, but then uses it anyway, it’s credit card fraud. Tennessee has addressed this issue by enacting a credit card fraud law that continues to be updated as times change.<\/p>\r\n

The table below details the Tennessee credit and debit card fraud law.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code Section<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee Code Section 39-14-118: Illegal Possession or Fraudulent Use of a Credit or Debit Card<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

What is Prohibited?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Tennessee prohibits both having and using a credit or debit card that you aren’t authorized to use. Specifically, the acts that are illegal are:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Knowingly possessing a credit or debit card without the consent of the owner<\/li>\r\n
  • Using or allowing another to use a credit or debit card, with fraudulent intent, to buy anything of value (including property, services, or credit) knowing that it’s forged, stolen, revoked, canceled, or expired<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Penalty<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

The fraudulent use of a debit or credit card is punished based on the amount of property, goods, or services obtained through the crime. This ties to the general theft<\/a> levels of penalty under Tennessee Code Section 39-14-105<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

If the value of the property or services obtained through credit card fraud is $500 or less, it’s a Class A misdemeanor. If nothing is actually obtained or received, then the possession or use of the card is still a Class A misdemeanor. If the value of items obtained is $500 to $1,000, it’s a Class E felony. If the value is $1,000 to $10,000, it’s a Class D felony. If what was received via credit card fraud was worth $10,000 to $60,000, it’s a Class C felony. For $60,000 or more in fraudulently taken goods, it’s a Class B felony.<\/p>\r\n

The various classes of misdemeanors and felonies for credit card fraud in Tennessee can be penalized by:<\/p>\r\n

Defenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Some of the possible defenses<\/a> for fraudulent use of a credit or debit card in Tennessee are:<\/p>\r\n