Black Friday and Cyber Monday are quickly approaching, and while the giving season is generally a heartwarming time full of goodwill and great deals– it’s also a time to start thinking about credit card fraud. Texas has serious consequences for people that misuse someone else’s card. Even if they do so mistakenly, the accused could be on the line for some hefty fines. They may even spend the holidays behind bars. That’s why it’s important to use ethical payment processing methods and protect yourself whenever you’re using a credit card that doesn’t belong to you. Today, the law office of John R. Teakell in Dallas will break down what credit card abuse really is. We’ll also give you tips about protecting yourself from credit card fraud accusations and explain Texas’s penalties for credit card abuse.
What is Credit Card Abuse?
A company or individual may accuse you of credit card abuse any time you use their credit card without permission. They could even unjustly accuse you of using their credit card after giving a verbal agreement. Generally, credit card fraud laws assert that a person may be charged with a crime if they use another person’s credit card without permission to achieve some kind of gain. Credit card fraud can include anything from a server writing down their customer’s credit card information and buying new clothes to a company intern buying themselves a new laptop on the company card. Essentially, you may face credit card fraud charges if you:
- Use a card with someone else’s name on it to make purchases
- Have another person’s credit card in your possession with the intent to use it
- Sld a stolen credit card
- Accepted items that were bout illegally using a stolen credit card
- Used someone else’s credit card number to buy something without permission
- Stole a credit card
Texas Penal Code– Penal SS 32.31. Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse
According to Texas law, if you use a card that doesn’t belong to you without obtaining permission from the cardholder first, you may be charged with credit card fraud. You may also face legal repercussions if you accept products from someone who is using a credit card illegally. Even if the rightful cardholder willingly releases their credit card into your care, they can still take you to court later if you don’t use it for its intended purpose.
Some other ways you could land yourself in jail for credit card crimes include intentionally presenting an expired or canceled card or using a fake card to make purchases. Credit card crimes including fraud, theft, and abuse are considered state felonies in Dallas, Texas.
Who reports credit card fraud?
Texas has some law enforcement agencies in place to root out credit card fraud. They track credit card abuse after retailers report suspicious activity, a cardholder reports theft or unauthorized online purchases, and through sting operations. A lot of credit card fraud comes from online scams, malware, and email fishing. However, there are numerous opportunities for misunderstandings when the cardholder gives you verbal consent to use their card or a third-party investigator makes assumptions without all of the facts which is why you’ll need an experienced white-collar defense attorney like John R. Teakell in Dallas, Texas.
Dallas White-Collar Defense Attorney Specializing in Credit Card Crimes
John R. Teakell is a former federal prosecutor and renowned white-collar defense attorney. He’s won numerous awards for his work and has been featured in several national publications and broadcasts. Teakell is an industry leader that specializes in defending people against white-collar crime accusations. He is one of the most sought-after attorneys in Dallas, TX. Schedule a legal consultation with him today to start building your defense if you stand accused of a credit card crime.
