WHAT IS UNLAWFUL USE OF A CREDIT CARD AND WHAT ARE THE CREDIT CARD FRAUD LAWS?
Under Illinois Law, (720 ILCS 250/8), a person commits the Illinois Criminal Offense of Unlawful Use of a Credit Card, or Credit Card Fraud, when they, with intent to defraud either the issuer, or a person providing money, goods, property, services or anything else of value, or any other person, uses for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, property, services or anything else of value a credit card or debit card:
(1) obtained or retained in violation of the Illinois Credit Card and Debit Act;
(2) obtained or used without the cardholder's consent;
(3) uses a credit card or debit card which they know is counterfeited, forged, expired, or revoked; or
(4) obtains, or attempts to obtain, money, goods, property, services or anything else of value by representing, without the consent of the cardholder, that they are the holder of a specified card, or by representing that they are the holder of a card and such card has not in fact been issued.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR UNLAWFUL USE OF A CREDIT CARD OR CREDIT CARD FRAUD LAW?
Under Illinois law, Unlawful Use of a Credit Card, or Credit Card Fraud, is a Class 4 felony if the amount does not exceed $300 in any 6 month period. In Illinois, a Class 4 felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and probation is a possibility. If the amount exceeds $300 in any 6 month period, Unlawful Use of a Credit Card is a Class 3 felony. In Illinois, a Class 3 felony is punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison and probation is a possibility. The Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., have had numerous cases where the felony charges for Unlawful Use of a Credit Card were reduced to a misdemeanor. The credit card laws, and credit card fraud law is complex and always changing. It is important that you hire an attorney that is familiar and experienced with the credit card fraud law and credit card law.
The Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders
- have extensive experience in representing individuals charged with Unlawful Use of a Credit Card throughout Cook County and Chicago land;
- are familiar and experienced in the credit card law and credit card fraud laws;
- understand the differences between Class 3 and Class 4 Unlawful Use of a Credit Card;
- are familiar with the various sentencing ranges for Unlawful Use of a Credit Card and understand the complexities of the various sentencing factors.
To discuss your particular Illinois Credit Card fraud case, call the experienced Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders.
WHAT IS UTILIZATION OF ACCOUNT NUMBER OFFENSE?
In Illinois, a person is guilty of Utilization of Account Number when they, with the intent to defraud either an issuer, or a person providing money, goods, property, services or anything else of value, uses an account number or code or enters information on a record of charge form for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, property, services or anything else of value. Utilization of Account Number is a Class 4 felony if the value of the money, goods, property, services and other things of value obtained does not exceed $150 in any 6 month period. In Illinois, a Class 4 felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and probation is a possibility. If the value of the money, goods, property exceeds $150 in any 6 month period, the person is guilty of a Class 3 felony. In Illinois, a Class 3 felony is punishable by 2 to 5 years in prison and probation is a possibility. It is important that you hire an attorney that is familiar and experienced with the credit card fraud law and credit card law.
The Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders
- have extensive experience in representing individuals charged with Utilization of Account Number throughout Cook County and Chicago land;
- are familiar and experienced in the credit card law and credit card fraud laws. The Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders understand the differences between Class 3 and Class 4 Illinois felony Utilization of Account Number;
- are familiar with the various sentencing ranges for Utilization of Account Number and understand the complexities of the various sentencing factors.
To discuss your particular Illinois Utilization of Account Number case, call the experienced Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT?
All of these crimes fall within the Illinois Credit card and Debit Card Act which includes more crimes related to credit card and financial transactions which may enhance or reduce the penalties depending on the circumstances of each particular case. A cardholder who uses a credit card or debit card issued to them, or allows another person to use a credit card or debit card issued to them with the intent to defraud the issuer, or a person providing money, goods, property, services or anything else of value, or any other person, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if the value of all money, goods, property, services or other things of value does not exceed $150 in any 6 month period. In Illinois, a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine up to $2,500. Probation, Conditional Discharge and Supervision are available for a Class A misdemeanor. If the value of the money, goods, property or services exceeds $150 in any 6 month period, they are guilty of a Class 4 felony. In Illinois, a Class 4 felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and probation is a possibility. It is important that you hire an attorney that is familiar and experienced with the credit card fraud law and credit card law.
Contact us for a Free and Confidential Consultation
Cook County Courthouses and Locations
Illinois Criminal Sentencing Chart
|
