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 Kentucky, credit card fraud and identity theft are serious criminal offenses. Credit card fraud can include situations where someone uses a lost or stolen credit card, or illegally obtains the card number, PIN, or security code to make unauthorized transactions. This type of fraud can occur with physical card theft or through digital means, such as card-not-present transactions. Identity theft in Kentucky involves the illegal acquisition and use of personal information, such as a person's name, birth date, Social Security number, or credit card information, to fraudulently open new accounts or access existing ones. Kentucky law (KRS § 514.160) defines financial identity theft and provides for penalties that can include fines, restitution, and imprisonment. Additionally, federal laws such as the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act provide further protections and establish criminal penalties for these offenses. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Kentucky are advised to report the crime to law enforcement and may also need to work with credit bureaus and financial institutions to resolve unauthorized transactions and prevent further damage to their credit.