Credit card fraud is one of the most common crimes in the United States, and gas stations are a favorite location for this type of activity. In a recent case, a New Jersey man was arrested for using information from stolen credit cards to pay for diesel fuel at gas stations in New York, which he then sold on the black market in New Jersey. The perpetrator had copied the complainant's credit card number to a gift card, and he used it at a gas station that did not yet have a chip reader—customers still swiped credit cards to make payments. The perpetrator then loaded the diesel fuel into a camouflaged tank that was on the bed of a semi-trailer. He repeated the process multiple times, resulting in thefts of diesel fuel estimated to be in the thousands of gallons.

This scheme is one of many types of credit card scams that can result in serious charges and, if the accused is convicted, significant prison time and fines.

Credit card fraud is a form of identity theft, and the New Jersey State Police have a Financial Crimes Investigation Unit that looks into this type of offense.

Types of Credit Card Fraud That Can Result in 3^rd Degree Charges in New Jersey

Actions that can result in charges for third-degree criminal identity theft offenses include the following:

• Cloning – Creating a credit card with someone else's account number and name.
• Crimes related to scanning devices:
• Using a scanning device to pull encoded data from someone else's credit card and store it.
• Using a re-encoder to transfer fraudulently obtained encoded data.
• Possessing scanning equipment or a re-encoder with the intent to commit credit card fraud.

In New Jersey, conviction of a third-degree criminal offense can result in a prison sentence of up to five years and a $15,000 fine.

Types of Credit Card Fraud That Can Result in 4^th Degree Charges in New Jersey

Actions that can result in charges for fourth-degree criminal identity theft offenses include the following:

• Applying for a credit card fraudulently, which includes attempting to apply for a card in the name of another person or organization without their knowledge and then using that card.
• Stealing a credit card or selling a stolen credit card for someone else to use.
• Having authority to accept credit card payments but charging a cardholder for goods or services they did not receive.
• Receiving goods or services you know were obtained from fraudulent credit card use.

In New Jersey, conviction of a fourth-degree criminal offense can result in a prison sentence of up to eighteen months and a $10,000 fine.

The Lento Law Firm New Jersey Criminal Defense Team Have the Strategy You Need to Fight Charges of Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud is a serious crime with significant penalties if convicted. The Lento Law Firm understands what is at stake, and their Criminal Defense Team can offer the guidance you need: They will develop the defense strategy that is best for your case.

To learn more about how the Lento Law Firm can help you, call 888.535.3686, or use the online link to schedule your confidential consultation with the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team.