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 Florida, credit card fraud is considered a serious criminal offense. Under Florida Statute 817.61, it is illegal for anyone to use, or possess with the intent to use, a stolen or fraudulently obtained credit card to obtain money, goods, services, or anything else of value. This statute also covers situations where a person uses a card that is forged, expired, or has been revoked. The penalties for credit card fraud in Florida can range from misdemeanor charges for less severe offenses to felony charges for more significant fraud, depending on the value of the fraudulent transactions and the number of times the card was used illegally. Additionally, identity theft is addressed under Florida Statute 817.568, which makes it a criminal offense to willfully and without authorization use, or possess with intent to use, someone else's personal identification information. Penalties for identity theft can also range from misdemeanor to felony charges, based on the extent of the harm or the value of the benefit obtained, and can include fines, restitution, and imprisonment. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Florida are encouraged to report the crime to law enforcement and may also need to contact an attorney to help mitigate the damage to their credit and personal finances.