{"id":401815,"date":"2026-07-15T14:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T19:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=401815"},"modified":"2026-07-15T14:55:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T19:55:23","slug":"credit-card-forgery-charges","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/credit-card-forgery-charges.html","title":{"rendered":"Credit Card Forgery Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Credit Card Forgery Charges<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\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\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Credit card<\/span> forgery<\/span> charges arise when someone creates, alters, or uses fake credit cards<\/span> or card information to commit fraud. This federal and state felony carries serious penalties, including up to 15 years in prison for first-time offenders. Even possessing materials to make counterfeit cards can result in criminal charges.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Credit card<\/span> forgery<\/span> is typically charged as a felony under both federal and state law, with serious penalties. In many states, you can face charges even for just possessing materials used to make fake cards.<\/p>\n

Understanding what constitutes a credit card<\/span> forgery<\/span> charge is crucial to determining how to respond to it. If you are facing charges or have questions about your legal options, contact a criminal defense attorney.<\/a>\u200b They can review your case and protect your rights.<\/p>\n

What Is Credit Card<\/span> Forgery<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Credit card<\/span> forgery<\/span> is the act of producing, possessing, or distributing counterfeit “access devices” with knowledge and intent to commit fraud. “Access devices” include credit cards<\/span>, debit cards<\/span>, account numbers, and personal identification numbers. They also include other identifiers you can use to obtain money, goods, or services or to transfer funds.<\/p>\n

Federal law<\/a>\u200b does not use the term “credit card<\/span> forgery<\/span>.” Instead, the law broadly refers to various types of conduct involving access devices. This includes making and using these devices to defraud another. It also includes the following:<\/p>\n