Possessing a Lost Credit Card and Other Credit Card Crimes

 Posted on June 01, 2015 in Criminal Defense

Finding a wallet or purse forces you to make some choices. Ideally you would seek out the owner or turn it in at a lost and found or police station. But sometimes the temptation is too great and people keep these items. This can result in criminal charges and, depending on what a person does with the credit cards in a wallet, can result in felony charges. Misuse of your own credit cards can also result in similar trouble.

Possession of a Lost Credit or Debit Card

Under certain circumstances possession of a lost credit or debit card can actually be a crime. It is not a crime to find such a credit card and hold on to it while you try to get in touch with the owner. However, if you receive a credit card and you know it is lost and you hold onto it in order to use it or sell it or give it to someone other than the legal cardholder, then you may be guilty of a crime. This crime is normally a Class 4 felony, but if in one transaction it is committed with three or more credit or debit cards, it is a Class 3 felony.

Sale of Credit or Debit Card

Any person other than the issuer of a credit or debit card who sells such a card is guilty of a crime. Sale of a credit or debit card is a Class 4 felony. It is also a Class 4 felony to purchase a credit or debit card from a person other than the issuer without the consent of the issuer. If a person makes a sale of or purchases three or more credit cards in a single transaction, the crime is bumped up to a Class 3 felony.

Use of a Credit or Debit Card as Security for a Debt

A person who uses a credit or debit card as security for a debt with the intent to defraud either the issuer of the card or a person providing an item or items of value, or any other person, is guilty of a crime. This crime is a Class 4 felony.

Use of a Credit or Debit Card with the Intent to Defraud

A cardholder who uses his or her credit or debit card (or lets someone else use it) with the intent of defrauding the issuer or a person providing items of value, or any other person, is guilty of a crime. This crime is normally a misdemeanor, but if the value of all of the items involved in a six-month period exceeds $150 then it can be a Class 4 felony.

Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley

If you are accused of committing a crime with someone else’s credit card, you will need help. You should seek out an experienced Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney like Christopher Cosley. Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley today at 847-253-3100 and we can schedule a meeting.