South Jersey Credit Card Fraud Defense Attorney
Accomplished Credit Card Theft Lawyer in Camden County, NJ Provides Skilled Legal Representation to Clients in Burlington County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, and Throughout New Jersey
Credit card fraud and theft are serious crimes, punishable in New Jersey by jail time and fines. An experienced South Jersey credit card fraud defense attorney at Gelman Law, LLC will vigorously defend you if you have been arrested for or charged with any type of credit card fraud in New Jersey. If you or someone you care about is involved in any way with credit card fraud proceedings, contact a credit card theft lawyer in Cherry Hill, NJ at Gelman Law, LLC for assistance with your case.
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Understanding N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6 on Credit Card Fraud and Credit Card Theft
Unlike many other forms of fraud, the prosecution does not have to prove that you used a stolen credit card to acquire something or some amount of value to convict you of credit card fraud. All the prosecution has to do is show one of the following to charge you with credit card fraud, based on N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6, which includes 2C:21-6c and important definitions:
- Prove that you made false statements to acquire a credit card
- Show that you fraudulently used a credit card
- Prove that you stole a credit card
In addition to the baseline charges of credit card fraud, the prosecution can also add additional charges against you, such as identity theft or other theft charges.
Every client of Gelman Law, LLC receives the strongest possible criminal defense. Our trusted credit card theft lawyer in Camden County, NJ uses a wide range of legal strategies to dismiss or minimize the charges and/or sentences that our clients face. If you are actively being investigated for credit card fraud by law enforcement agencies, have been formally charged with such a crime, or have been arrested for such a crime, time is of the essence. A skilled South Jersey credit card fraud defense attorney at our firm will investigate your case and gather the evidence and break down the laws and statutes that apply to it so that we can build a solid defense on your behalf.
Credit Card Theft Lawyer in Camden County, NJ Handles the Intricacies of Credit Card Fraud Charges Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6
Credit card fraud refers to a range of illicit activities that involve fraud related to credit cards. Thanks to the widespread availability of digital technologies, the law has expanded to cover different types of fraud and different activities that can constitute fraud.
Examples of credit card fraud under these expansive legal definitions include:
- Misrepresenting your financial history to obtain a credit card;
- “Skimming” credit card data from others at a point of sale such as at a gas pump;
- Hacking into someone’s account to use their credit card;
- Changing someone’s credit card info without their permission, such as changing their purchase limit;
- Applying for a credit card with someone else’s name and personal information;
- Knowingly using an expired, revoked, or forged credit card;
- Pretending to be the owner of a credit card without authority.
It is important to note that you can be convicted of credit card fraud under New Jersey’s credit card laws even if you only have the intent to defraud someone. This applies even if you do not successfully obtain anything of value or perform fraudulent actions or transactions. You can also be charged and convicted of fraud if you received money or items of value that you knew or believed were obtained via credit card fraud.
N.J.S.A. 2C:21-6(c) Makes Credit Card Theft a Form of Credit Card Fraud
Perhaps the most common of all credit card fraud charges in New Jersey is credit card theft. As with most criminal law statutes, the definitions of credit card theft are specific and highly detailed. NJSA 2C:21-6(c) defines credit card theft as:
- Taking someone’s credit card without their permission
- Receiving a credit card that was lost, misplaced, or delivered to you accidentally
- Buying or selling a stolen credit card
- Forging a credit card or modifying an existing credit card
- Signing a credit card without the owner’s authorization
- Obtaining a credit card to secure debts
Credit card fraud – in its many forms – is a theft crime. If you are convicted of credit card fraud, the conviction can stay on your record for years, even for a lifetime. This can make it difficult to find work even after completing your sentence. Such convictions can also have negative immigration consequences on non-citizens and can prevent you from serving in the military. Speak with a South Jersey credit card fraud defense attorney at Gelman Law, LLC for assistance with handling your case.
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Contact an Experienced Credit Card Theft Lawyer in Cherry Hill, NJ from Gelman Law, LLC for a Free Consultation Today
Do not risk, or take lightly, the penalties of credit card fraud. Speak with a skilled South Jersey credit card fraud defense attorney at Gelman Law, LLC for professional legal guidance and assistance with your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facing Charges for Credit Card Fraud and Theft in New Jersey
Under New Jersey law, credit card fraud charges can be third-degree or fourth-degree felonies. Fourth-degree charges come with fines of up to $10,000 and jail time of up to 18 months, while third-degree charges come with fines of up to$15,000 and jail time of between three and five years. Additional or more severe penalties may be imposed depending on the specific circumstances of your case.
Yes, this is true for theft crimes such as shoplifting, but in such cases, the prosecution typically must show that you stole something to convict you. For credit card fraud, proving intent can suffice to convict you, and the prosecution does not have to prove that you illegally obtained anything of value to convict you on credit card fraud charges.
As long as you knew or believed that the credit card you used was obtained fraudulently, you can face credit card fraud charges as per NJSA 2C:21-6(h). Contact our experienced legal team to learn more about this specific statute and how we can help you based on the unique circumstances of your case.