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 Massachusetts, credit card fraud is considered a serious criminal offense. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 266, Section 37B, it is illegal to use, possess, or transfer a credit card with the intent to defraud. This includes using someone else's credit card without authorization, as well as using a lost or stolen card. Penalties for credit card fraud can include imprisonment and fines, depending on the severity of the offense and the amount of money involved. Additionally, identity theft is addressed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 266, Section 37E, which makes it a crime to obtain or use someone else's personal identifying information without their authorization for the purpose of obtaining money, goods, services, or anything else of value. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Massachusetts are encouraged to report the crime to their local police department and to the credit card issuer. They may also place a fraud alert on their credit reports and are entitled to certain protections under federal law, such as the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), which limit their liability for unauthorized charges.