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 North Carolina, credit card fraud and identity theft are serious criminal offenses. Under North Carolina General Statutes (NCGS) § 14-113.8, it is illegal for anyone to use, or allow to be used, a credit card or credit account number to fraudulently 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 in card-not-present transactions. Additionally, NCGS § 14-113.20 defines identity theft as the fraudulent use of another person's identifying information to obtain credit, goods, services, money, or property. This can include using someone's name, Social Security number, or credit card number without permission. The penalties for these crimes can range from misdemeanor to felony charges, depending on the circumstances and the value of the fraudulently obtained goods or services. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in North Carolina are encouraged to report the crime to local law enforcement and may also need to contact their financial institutions to protect their credit and financial interests.