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Can you sign your name when using someone else credit card?

Author

Andrew Campbell

Updated on February 07, 2026

Technically, it would be against terms and conditions to use someone else’s credit card, even if you’ve got the PIN. That being said, they can’t ask for identification if the card is signed. If it’s not signed, they are allowed to ask for it, but it’s not required or anything.

Can you Authorise someone to use your credit card?

Temporary Use In some cases, you can give someone, such as a relative or friend, authorization to use your credit card account. You may also have to write a signed note authorizing the person. Also, allowing someone else to sign for transactions on your credit card could go against your credit card service agreement.

What is the punishment for using someone else’s credit card?

The penalties for credit card fraud in California can vary depending on the circumstances and severity of the case. On the low end, it is a year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. On the high end, it is punishable by up to three years in county jail and a $10,000 fine. Credit card fraud is also a federal offense.

What happens if u use someone else’s credit card?

Using someone else’s credit card without their permission may be a quick way to get your hands on some much-needed cash or treat yourself to something you otherwise couldn’t afford, but it may cost you hefty fines and even land you in jail.

Can you put a credit card in someone else’s name?

To answer that specific question: No, you can’t simply put a credit card that you applied for individually in someone else’s name like you would if you were selling your car. After all, the issuer approved YOU for the account based on YOUR credit history and disposable income.

What happens if you use someone else’s credit card without their permission?

Without a permission note, the burden may fall most heavily on the borrower if they are caught using a card without their name on it. A merchant will have no way of knowing about the verbal permission you may have received from the cardholder ahead of time, so the default assumption may be that you’re committing fraud.

Is it legal to charge someone’s credit card without their signature?

There are several ways to get a customer’s permission, and your signature is frequently sufficient authorization. Some businesses even rely on one-time authorizations for recurring charges. Although some merchants request photo identification, there’s no law requiring them to do so.

Can you transfer ownership of a credit card?

The idea of transferring credit card ownership brings up another important point as well: how to handle a joint account or a card that has an authorized user if you no longer want the other party to have access to your finances.