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 Mississippi, credit card fraud is addressed under the Mississippi Code Section 97-19-21, which makes it illegal to use, or possess with intent to use, any counterfeit, fraudulent, or stolen credit card to obtain money, goods, services, or anything else of value. This includes both the physical use of a stolen or lost credit card and the unauthorized use of credit card information, such as the account number, PIN, and security code, in card-not-present transactions. Identity theft is similarly criminalized under Mississippi Code Section 97-19-85, which prohibits the willful and unauthorized use of another individual's personal identification information, including their name, Social Security number, and credit card numbers, to commit fraud or any other illegal activity. This can include opening new credit accounts or using existing ones without the victim's consent. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Mississippi should report the crime to law enforcement and may also need to contact their credit card issuer to dispute unauthorized transactions. An attorney can provide guidance on the legal steps to take in response to such incidents and help in mitigating the financial and legal repercussions.