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The Daily Insight Hub

What crime is stealing a credit card and using it?

Author

Sophia Koch

Updated on February 03, 2026

Fraudulent possession and transfer of a credit card (484e PC) — When you knowingly receive, sell or give someone a credit card without the true owner’s consent. This is prosecuted as grand theft in California, which is a “wobbler,” meaning that it can be punished as either a felony or misdemeanor.

Is it illegal to steal credit cards?

Federal credit card fraud laws focus on interstate and foreign commerce, making it illegal to use a stolen or fraudulently obtained credit or debit card. The penalties for such use shall be fined not more than $10,000 and/or imprisoned not more than ten years.

What do criminals do with stolen cards?

Criminals often use their stolen credit card numbers to buy items that can easily be flipped on websites like eBay. Luxury items, popular smartphones, and other goods with high resale value are appealing.

Can u 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.”

How fraudsters get your card details?

Card details – card number, card holder name, date of birth and address – are stolen, often from online databases or through email scams, then sold and used on the internet, or over the phone. Committing fraudulent applications in someone else’s name for a new credit card, without that person knowing.

What kind of fraud does the FBI investigate?

The FBI’s corporate fraud investigations primarily focus on the following activities: Falsification of financial information. False accounting entries and/or misrepresentations of financial condition; Fraudulent trades designed to inflate profits or hide losses; and. Illicit transactions designed to evade regulatory oversight.

Which is an example of a commodities fraud?

Commodities fraud: Commodities fraud is the illegal sale or purported sale of raw materials or semi-finished goods that are relatively uniform in nature and are sold on an exchange (e.g., gold, pork bellies, orange juice, and coffee).

What kind of crimes are associated with money laundering?

Money laundering is usually associated with crimes that provide a financial gain, and criminals who engage in money laundering derive their proceeds in many ways. Some of their crimes include: Complex financial crimes. Health care fraud.

When was the term white collar crime coined?

What We Investigate. Reportedly coined in 1939, the term white-collar crime is now synonymous with the full range of frauds committed by business and government professionals.