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Can I use my dads credit card without him knowing?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on February 10, 2026

You certainly can’t use someone else’s credit card without permission. That’s fraud, which is a crime. It’s a similar story for a child using a parent’s credit card with permission. Many children have credit cards, as issuers generally don’t have minimum age requirements for authorized users.

Can I use my parents credit card without them knowing?

It is not legal to use your parent’s credit card without his or her expressed permission. Doing so can have legal consequences for you as well as cause your parent to pay fees for unauthorized charges.

Will my dad know if I use his credit card?

Originally Answered: Will my parents know when I use their debit card? Yes. It will show up on their online bank statement almost immediately as well as their monthly statement. They may have also signed up for alerts from their bank that notifies them immediately by text or app when a charge is attempted.

Can you go to jail for using someone else’s credit card?

In addition to the identity theft itself, criminals can be punished under federal law for using devices that facilitate fraudulent activity, such as skimmers or other counterfeit access devices. “Minor offenses can result in fines, jail time, or both, but felony-level credit card theft and fraud can lead to prison.”

Can I use my dad’s bank card with his permission?

Nope, carers have permission to do this. It’s not illegal. But you need to keep very detailed records in order to avoid being accused of fraud in future. In general if you’re managing someone elses money or doing their shopping it’s a good idea to get it formalised.

Can my parents give me their credit score?

“If the person is an adult they are responsible for requesting their own credit history and Experian cannot legally provide it to the parent unless that parent has legal authorization, such as power of attorney, to request the report on behalf of the other adult,” Griffin said.

Is it illegal to use your parents credit card without permission?

When someone uses a credit card without permission from the account holder, this constitutes an unauthorized charge, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Your close relationship to your parents doesn’t make it OK for you to use their credit card to make a purchase without asking for permission.

What happens if your son uses your credit card?

Parenting » Dilemmas » My son used my credit card without my permission! My son used my credit card without my permission! A sad and disappointed mother grapples with her 14-year-old son’s decision to steal her credit card. I am so sad and disappointed. Yesterday I noticed charges on my checking account that I did not recognize.

Do you have to tell your parents if you use your debit card?

Yes, they will know if you use their debit cards, credit cards, digital wallets etc. sooner or later. So, don’t use them without their knowledge and permission. Simple.

Can a family member use your credit card?

In the world of card fraud, this can be quite common. If it was a family member who used your card, think carefully before you take any action with your bank. They may get the police involved.