Phoenix Credit Card Theft
In Arizona, credit card theft is not taken lightly. Credit card theft is the crime of taking or possessing someone else’s credit card without consent. Those holding onto someone else’s credit card as a security for debt or those who sell a credit card with the intent to defraud can also be convicted of this crime. Defendants can even be convicted of this offense without ever personally using the stolen credit card. For instance, someone who accepts a gift purchased with a credit card he knows to be stolen can be convicted of this crime.
Theft charges usually vary depending on the value of the item stolen. When it comes to credit card theft, the penalty is unwavering. A person commits credit card theft by:
- Controlling a credit card without the cardholder’s permission.
- Selling, transferring, or conveying a credit card with the intent to defraud.
- Possessing, caring, or controlling a credit card as security for debt with the intent to defraud.
Credit card theft is a class 5 Felony in Arizona, and can carry severe penalties. Even a first-time offender can face jail or prison time if convicted of credit card theft. Credit card theft is punishable by a minimum jail sentence of .5 years and a maxim of 2.5 years in prison. The presumptive sentence is 1.5 years.
In addition to stealing a credit card, a person can face criminal charges if they receive anything purchased with the stolen credit card. If the value of the item purchased is less than $250, it’s a class 1 misdemeanor. If the item’s value is between $250 and $1,000, it’s a class 6 felony. Lastly, if the item is valued at over $1,000, it’s a class 5 felony.
If a person is convicted of receiving items purchased from a stolen credit card, he or she could face anywhere from 6 months to 2 years in prison.
If you are facing charges of credit card theft in Arizona, a Mesa credit card theft attorney can help you to defend your rights.