Is using fake credit card for free trials illegal?
William Jenkins
Updated on February 11, 2026
It’s credit card fraud to use even one fake credit card. So yes, it’s illegal, and instead of going to prison for one count of credit card fraud, you go to prison for several counts, if you use multiple numbers.
Is using a random person’s credit card illegal?
California Credit Card Fraud Laws. Penal Code Sections 484e, 484f, 484g, 484h, 484i, and 484j all make it a crime for a person to commit credit card, debit card, and/or access card fraud. It says a person cannot use a stolen, fake, or expired card to procure cash or goods while knowing that it is not valid.
Can you get in trouble for free trials?
Is it illegal to abuse free trials? A free trial is free, so as long as you are abiding by the terms of that trial you are not doing anything illegal. All you are doing when “abusing” them in this case is using something that is being offered for free more than intended by the offering party, but within the bounds.
Can a bank find out who used my card?
While your bank can track stolen cards, the tracking isn’t perfect. It can generally only track the card if it gets used. Also, since people usually pay when they are on their way out of a retail establishment, it’s reasonable to expect that they would be gone by the time that law enforcement could arrive.
How long can you go to jail for using someone’s credit card?
Credit card fraud that involves the theft of the card or the number typically has a prison sentence of 1 to 5 years. Identity theft is treated much more harshly with prison sentences up to 10 or 20 years.
Are free trials good?
Still, despite the risks, a free trial is an excellent sales strategy that can lower your cost of new-customer acquisition. Free trials work best for companies attempting to sell an intangible product or service, such as software, apps, games and analytics.
What happens when I use my free trial card?
The Free Trial Card is a virtual credit card you can use to sign up for free trials of any service anonymously, instead of using your real credit card. When the free trial period ends, the card automatically declines to be charged, thus ending your free trial.
What do I do if I want to get a free trial?
Most online shopping /service sites can tell almost instantly whether your credit card information is legitimate. You won’t get the free trial if you try to enter a fake credit card. You can use a pre-paid debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo that has a low balance or open a PayPal account and use that if the site accepts PayPal.
What can I use to get free trial on PayPal?
You won’t get the free trial if you try to enter a fake credit card. You can use a pre-paid debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo that has a low balance or open a PayPal account and use that if the site accepts PayPal. PayPal takes your credit card and /or bank information and makes it anonymous to merchants who accept PayPal.
Is it legal to use somebody else’s credit card?
Instead of using somebody else’s credit card or lending out your card, make use of “authorized users.” At an account holder’s request, credit card issuers can provide additional cards with somebody else’s name printed on the face.