Georgia Credit and Debit Card Fraud Laws

Financial Transaction Card Theft: O.C.G.A. §16-9-31

Forgery of a Financial Transaction Card: O.C.G.A §16-9-32

Financial Transaction Card Fraud: O.C.G.A. Section §16-9-33

Financial Transaction Card Theft:

• Taking a credit or debit card from the cardholder without their consent
• Knowingly possessing a stolen credit or debit card without the owners' consent with the intent to use or sell it
• Knowingly possessing a credit or debit card that has been lost or misdelivered with the intent to use or sell it
• Buying a lost, stolen, or forged credit or debit card from another person
• Possessing two or more lost, stolen, or forged cards within one year.

Forgery of a Financial Transaction Card

• Creating a false credit or debit card with the intent to defraud
• Falsely encoding a credit or debit card with the intent to defraud (basically altering the magnetic strip)

Financial Transactions Card Fraud

• Knowingly using a credit or debit card without permission with the intent to defraud. The account number either doesn't exist, or the card was lost, stolen, forged, revoked, expired, or obtained by fraud.
• Business owners and employees who knowingly accept a fraudulent credit or debit cards, or falsify a credit card receipt can also be guilty.

Financial Transaction Card Theft: Felony punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and 1-3 years of prison.

Forgery of a Financial Transaction Card: Felony punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and 1-3 years of prison.

Financial Transactions Card Fraud: Felony, punishment depends on that amount of money stolen as a result of the fraud.

**Sentences typically include restitution to the victim(s).