Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Credit card fraud in Tennessee has jumped by 38 percent over the last three years, according to a report released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Fraud typically begins with theft of the card or some compromising of data associated with the card account (such as the account number). A common example of the latter is when a store clerk copies sales receipts for later use. The increased use of credit card numbers over the Internet has also made security lapses more common.

In Tennessee, if a person obtains property or services as a result of unlawful possession or fraudulent use of a credit card, he or she will be charged with a felony. Possession of a credit card is a Tennessee white collar offense if a person knowingly possesses the card or uses information from the card without the consent of the owner or issuer.

A person commits fraudulent use when he or she uses the card without the consent of the owner or issuer for the purpose of obtaining property or services. Fraudulent use of a card is punishable as theft, and the punishment varies depending on the value of the property or services unlawfully obtained.

If you have been charged with credit card fraud or unlawful possession of a credit or debit card in Tennessee, you will want a skilled and experienced Knoxville criminal law attorney who has the resources and knowledge to defend your rights. The skilled criminal defense attorneys at Baker Associates will fight for you. For help with your criminal case, call 866-853-2888 today.