Credit card fraud is when someone uses your credit card or credit account to make a purchase you didn't authorize. This activity can happen in different ways. For example, if you lose your credit card or have it stolen, it can be used to make purchases or other transactions, either in person or online. And fraudsters can also steal your credit card account number, PIN and security code to make unauthorized transactions, without needing your physical credit card—unlawful transactions like these are known as card-not-present fraud.

Identity theft involves the use of illegally obtained information about you, like your name, birthday, Social Security number, credit card numbers and more, in order to use existing credit accounts or open new ones in your name. When this happens, criminals capture the spending power of your credit while you get stuck with the bill.

In Delaware, credit card fraud and identity theft are serious criminal offenses. Under Delaware Code Title 11, Sections 903-907, credit card fraud can include activities such as using a stolen or lost credit card, using a counterfeit card, or obtaining someone's credit card information without their consent to make unauthorized transactions. Penalties for credit card fraud can range from Class A misdemeanors to Class G felonies, depending on the severity and the value of the fraudulent transactions. Identity theft is addressed under Delaware Code Title 11, Section 854, which makes it illegal to knowingly acquire personal identifying information of another person without consent and with the intent to use it for any unlawful purpose. This includes opening new credit accounts or using existing ones fraudulently. Identity theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, with penalties increasing with the severity of the crime and the amount of financial loss caused. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Delaware are encouraged to report the crime to law enforcement and may also need to contact their financial institutions to protect their credit and financial assets.