Is it illegal to steal from your parents?
Andrew Campbell
Updated on January 24, 2026
Yes, you can go to jail for stealing from anyone, including your parents.
Can I get a credit card through my parents?
Strictly speaking, parents cannot open a credit card account for their minor children. Only a person age 18 and over can enter into a legally binding contract, which includes applying for a credit card as the primary account holder.
Is it legal to get a credit card in your child’s name?
Parents are not allowed to open a credit card in the child’s name. That’s identity theft plain and simple but it is done. It’s still illegal. The child usually discovers this after they are an adult and try to get credit legally.
Can You Sue Your parents for using your credit?
Your information may inspire law enforcement or creditors to take legal action against your parents. “The police may go after them, or the creditor may go after them with a lawsuit, as they are legally liable for whatever debt they took out in their kid’s name.”
Can your parents steal money from you?
Mainly because, if it’s legally allowed, it isn’t stealing. Stealing means taking something illegally. If you’re an adult (at least 18 years old) in the United States and your parents are stealing your money you can choose to report it to the police and your parents may be prosecuted.
Can I add my 14 year old to my credit card?
Your ability to add your child as an authorized user on your credit card depends on their age and your bank’s rules. Children who are 18 and older can be added as an authorized user without issue. But some banks may not allow children under a certain age to be added as an authorized user.
Can a 13 year old have a credit card?
Legally, no one can get a credit card on their own unless they’re at least 18 years old. However, a minor can be an authorized user on someone else’s account. Here are some credit card options that allow teens under 18 as authorized users, along with a few tips for teaching them financial habits.
At what age can I add my kid to my credit card?
Can I let my daughter use my credit card?
You certainly can’t use someone else’s credit card without permission. 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.
Is it illegal to take your parents credit card?
Doing so can have legal consequences for you as well as cause your parent to pay fees for unauthorized charges. 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.
Can a bank hold your parents responsible for an unauthorized credit card charge?
The bank can hold your parents responsible for up to $50 of an unauthorized charge on a credit card. Some banks waive this maximum and don’t hold a cardholder responsible for any unauthorized charges. If you use your parents’ credit card number to make a purchase but you didn’t swipe it at a point of sale,…
Can a father file a police report for credit card fraud?
Therefore, they may insist on a police report or file one themselves. If your father or the credit card issuer does file a police report, you can be prosecuted. The exact statutes depend on your state, but you could face charges for identity theft, fraud, forgery, theft by deception, larceny or other crimes.
Can a 44 year old use a parents credit card?
A 44-year old son used his parents’ credit card, which they use for essentials, to rack up gambling charges. What rights do they have to dispute the charges and ensure their card use is not affected? The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.