According to a report from the Insurance Information Institute, crimes involving fraud in the U.S. created roughly $14.7 billion in losses during 2018. The total losses in 2017 were $16.8 billion. This reduction is largely attributed to the decline in credit card fraud that resulted from transitioning to cards that have embedded chips for enhanced security. These types of offenses are categorized within the many forms of “white-collar” criminal acts.
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2018: Identity Thefts Reported in the U.S. |
Volume |
|
Credit Card: New Accounts |
130,928 |
|
Misc. Identity Theft |
87,765 |
|
Tax-Related Fraud |
38,967 |
|
Mobile Phone-Related |
33,466 |
|
Credit Card: Existing Accounts |
32,329 |
New Jersey Forgery and Related Offenses: Credit Card Theft (2C:21-6)
Anyone that knowingly takes or otherwise acquires a credit card without the consent of the cardholder with intent to use, sell, or transfer to someone else is guilty of a fourth-degree offense. This also applies to those who possess two or more credit cards belonging to some other cardholder. It is also a fourth-degree offense to possess a credit card with intent to use it that was “lost, mislaid, or delivered under a mistake.”
Anyone who buys or sells a credit card from anyone except the issuer is guilty of a fourth-degree offense. Anyone who intends to defraud a credit card issuer by providing “money, goods, services or anything else of value” is guilty of a fourth-degree offense.
Falsely Produced or Altered Credit Cards
Offenses that involve making or embossing false (counterfeit) credit cards are upgraded to third-degree offenses. This also applies to possession of two or more falsely made credit cards. It is a third-degree crime for knowingly using a “counterfeit, fictitious, altered, or forged” credit card.
Fraudulent Usage of Scanning Devices and Re-encoders (2C:21.6.1)
In recent years, devices called “scanners, skimmers or readers” have emerged as a means of illegally obtaining and storing critical credit card information from the strip of a payment card. A payment card is simply a term used to define any credit, debit, or charge card. The process is often referred to as “skimming” is a third-degree criminal offense. It is also a fourth-degree offense to have possession of any such equipment or device.
Criminal Penalties
Under New Jersey law, a third-degree offense is punishable by three to five years of imprisonment and a maximum $15,000 fine. Fourth-degree offenses are punishable by up to 18 months of incarceration and a maximum $10,000 fine.
Criminal Courts in Atlantic County
Atlantic County has approximately 25 Municipal Courts at the city or township level. Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction, with responsibility for disorderly person offenses, motor vehicle, and parking violations, and local ordinance offenses. The more serious criminal cases at heard at the Superior Court at the county level.
Atlantic County Criminal Courthouse
4997 Unami Blvd.
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-402-0100
Legal Representation for Credit Card Fraud
Joseph D. Lento is an attorney that understands the possible severity of the penalties that may be levied against those convicted of credit card-related theft or fraud. He will analyze the evidence and work to create a formidable strategy of defense. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at (888) 535-3686 for a case evaluation.
