Teens and Credit Card Abuse, No Laughing Matter

A 17-year-old in Texas may land in prison for playing video games at an arcade and shopping for clothes with stolen credit cards. He allegedly broke into two cars outside the same home and stole several credit cards.

Police tracked the stolen cards to Chuck E. Cheese’s, Target and Ross Dress for Less. The teen and two friends were captured on surveillance camera footage at all three locations. He has been charged with credit card abuse and his friends may face similar charges. Each teen could face jail time and a fine that far exceeds any financial gain from using the stolen credit cards.

What is Credit Card Abuse?

In another Texas case, a man was jailed on $21,000 bail and could face two years behind bars for spending $1,100 on lunch, gas and a Wal-Mart shopping spree. In Texas, credit card abuse is punishable with two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine. Credit card abuse includes the use of any credit or debit card without the permission of the cardholder. It can also include attempts to use a credit card that has already been revoked or canceled, use of a fictitious credit card, buying or selling a credit card by those who are not issuers and possession of a stolen credit card with intent to use it.

Credit card abuse is typically associated with identity theft, a broad category of crimes where the criminal assumes someone else’s identity for fraudulent reasons. Particularly given the availability of financial and personal information online, identity theft is the fastest growing type of fraud in the U.S. and other developed countries. (Fraud, in turn, is an even broader legal category that covers any intentional deception that injures another person.)

Teens may consider the use of a stolen credit card less serious than some other types of identity theft and fraud. They may just put one tank of gas or a couple of purchases on a credit card they find or steal. Some see it as an adrenaline rush and a victimless crime because credit card holders are sometimes not held liable for fraudulent purchases. Yet, credit card abusers can face serious consequences for their crimes. A fraudulent purchase could result in jail time and a felony conviction that remains on your permanent record.

If you have used a credit card or debit card without the permission of the cardholder, you may be facing serious legal consequences. Speak to an attorney to learn more about your best legal options and to help you protect your rights.