Credit and Debit Card Fraud

The criminal defense attorneys at The Davis Law Group, P.C. represent clients charged with Credit and Debit Card Fraud throughout Illinois including the Chicagoland area. These cases are becoming increasingly common as technology advances and the security of confidential information is constantly exposed. Individuals and businesses alike are targets for this type of crime.

Illinois strictly prohibits Credit and Debit Card Fraud. 720 ILCS 5/17 makes it illegal to:

(1) make a false statement to obtain a debit or credit card
(2) possess another’s debit or credit card, debt, or identification card
(3) possess a lost or mislaid credit or debit card
(4) sell another’s debit or credit card without consent of the issuer
(5) use a credit or debit card as security for a debt
(6) use a counterfeited, forged, expired, revoked, or unissued credit or debit card
(7) use a credit or debit card with the intent to defraud
(8) use an account number or code with intent to defraud
(9) receive goods or services knowing it was obtained through credit or debit card fraud
(10) sign another’s card with the intent to defraud
(11) alter or counterfeit a card
(12) possess an incomplete card with the intent to complete it without consent
(13) make a prohibited deposit
(14) fraudulently use an electronic transmission
(15) make a payment of charges without furnishing item for value
(16) furnish items of value with intent to defraud
(17) fail to furnish items of value with intent to defraud

Illinois requires intent to defraud in these cases. An individual charged with this offense may not know that the credit card was stolen, counterfeited, expired, or revoked. Additionally, often the accused did not have the intent to defraud, as he or she was unaware of the illegality of the card.

Illinois has harsh penalties for those who commit Credit and Debit Card Fraud. Penalties depend on the exact crime committed, the value of the property stolen, and the number of transactions made. The number of victims and prior convictions for offenses involving fraud are always taken into account.

In Illinois, Credit and Debit Card Fraud is usually charged as a Class 4 felony, which carries a possible sentence of 1-3 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000. However, these offenses are often charged as Class 3 felonies, which carry 2-5 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000.

The criminal defense attorneys at The Davis Law Group, P.C. have years of experience and are familiar with local courthouse procedures, the various Assistant State’s Attorneys, Judges, and local Clerks of the Circuit Court throughout the Chicagoland area. Please contract us if you require legal assistance for a criminal matter throughout Illinois including Cook, Lake and DuPage Counties.