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 Minnesota, credit card fraud and identity theft are considered serious criminal offenses. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 609.821, it is illegal for anyone to use, or to possess with intent to use, any credit card, whether real or fictitious, for the purpose of obtaining property, services, or any other thing of value without the consent of the cardholder. This includes situations where the card is lost, stolen, or obtained with the intent to defraud. Additionally, Minnesota's identity theft laws are outlined in Section 609.527, which makes it a crime to transfer, possess, or use another person's identity without lawful authority for any unlawful purpose. Penalties for these crimes can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the value of the fraudulent transactions. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Minnesota are encouraged to report the crime to local law enforcement and may also need to contact their financial institutions to protect their accounts.