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 Maine, credit card fraud and identity theft are considered serious criminal offenses. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A, Section 905-A, it is illegal to use another person's credit card without consent or to use a credit card that is forged, revoked, or expired with the intent to defraud. This includes any unauthorized transactions made with a lost or stolen credit card, as well as card-not-present fraud. Penalties for credit card fraud can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the value of the fraudulent transactions. Additionally, identity theft is addressed under Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A, Section 905-B, which makes it a crime to knowingly possess or use another person's personal information, such as their Social Security number or credit card information, without authorization for the purpose of obtaining money, credit, goods, services, or anything else of value. The state of Maine also provides resources for victims of identity theft and fraud through the Office of the Maine Attorney General, which offers guidance on how to report the crime and take steps to protect one's identity and credit.