What are the Penalties for Credit Card Fraud in California?

Credit card fraud has become a serious problem in recent years. It is a type of theft and depending on the dollar amount lost can result in a grand theft felony conviction. There are many forms but in general credit card fraud is fraudulently obtaining goods or money through the use of stealing information or forging fake cards and signatures. For more information or help with your case, reach out to a Tehama County theft lawyer.

What Types of Credit Card Fraud Exist?

Under California state law there are various crimes relating to credit card fraud. You can face serious charges for any of the following.

• Possessing stolen credit cards
• Forging credit cards
• Fraudulently using credit cards
• Retailer credit card fraud
• Counterfeiting credit cards
• Publishing information from credit cards

Will I Go to Jail if Convicted?

The penalties for credit card fraud in California are quite severe. It is a serious offense so the repercussions are serious as well. If convited you can face hefty fines and even jail time. You can face misdemeanor or felony charges depending on what crime you committed and the specifics of your case. Certain penal codes are considered wobblers, meaning that they can swing from misdemeanor or felony. The following is a list of the penalties associated with each type of credit card fraud crime.

Possessing stolen credit cards:

• Penal code 484E PC
• Wobbler
  • Misdemeanor (petty theft):
    • Up to 1 year in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000
  • Felony (grand theft):
    • Up to 3 years in jail
    • Fines up to $10,000

Forging credit cards:

• Penal code 484F PC
• Wobbler
  • Misdemeanor (petty theft):
    • Up to 1 year in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000
  • Felony (grand theft):
    • Up to 3 years in jail
    • Fines up to $10,000

Fraudulently using credit cards:

• Penal code 484G PC
• Wobbler
  • Misdemeanor (petty theft):
    • Theft of items valuing $950 or less
    • Up to 1 year in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000
  • Felony (grand theft):
    • Theft of items valuing $950 or more
    • Up to 3 years in jail
    • Fines up to $10,000

Retailer credit card fraud:

• Penal code 484H PC
• Wobbler
  • Misdemeanor (petty theft):
    • Theft of items valuing $950 or less
    • Up to 1 year in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000
  • Felony (grand theft):
    • Theft of items valuing $950 or more
    • Up to 3 years in jail
    • Fines up to $10,000

Counterfeiting credit cards:

• Penal code 484I PC
• Wobbler
  • Misdemeanor (petty theft):
    • Theft of items valuing $950 or less
    • Up to 1 year in county jail
    • Fines up to $1,000
  • Felony (grand theft):
    • Theft of items valuing $950 or more
    • Up to 3 years in jail
    • Fines up to $10,000

Publishing information from credit cards:

• Penal code 484J PC
• Misdemeanor
  • Up to 1 year in county jail
  • Fines up to $1,000