The holiday shopping season is here and many people in the Inverness area will choose to pay for gifts for their loved ones using a credit card. However, sometimes credit card use crosses the line into credit card fraud. The following is a brief overview of credit card fraud in Florida, but keep in mind this post does not contain legal advice, and those who are accused of committing credit card fraud may want to consult with a Florida criminal defense attorney.
The State Credit Card Crime Act
The State Credit Card Crime Act in Florida sets the penalties for those who commit credit card fraud. In order to commit credit card fraud, the defendant must knowingly know they are not the authorized users of a valid credit card, represent themselves as the card holder and intentionally use the forged or stolen car to buy something or obtain money.
Some examples of credit card fraud in Florida
Under Florida law, credit card fraud takes place under several circumstances. If you take and keep someone else’s credit card, if you steal a lost or missing credit card or if you keep one sent to you by mistake or if you use another person’s credit card without their permission to buy something, this constitutes credit card fraud. Taking control over a credit card as security for a debt, forging a or altering credit card, signing some one else’s credit card and using an expired credit card also constitutes credit card fraud.
What constitutes a credit card under Florida law?
Traditional credit cards are covered by Florida credit card fraud laws. However, ATM cards, check cards and debit cards are also covered by Florida credit card fraud laws.
Seek assistance if you are accused of credit card fraud in Florida
Credit card fraud is a serious crime in Florida. Depending on the number of offenses and the value of property obtained, those convicted of credit card fraud could face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. For this reason, those accused of credit card fraud in Florida will want to seek the help necessary to better understand their rights and options so they can make informed decisions moving forward.