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 Dakota, credit card fraud and identity theft are criminal offenses under state law. Credit card fraud may involve the unauthorized use of someone's credit card or account information to make purchases or conduct transactions. This can occur through the physical theft of the card or by obtaining the card information such as the account number, PIN, or security code. North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) Section 12.1-23-11 specifically addresses the unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, which includes credit cards. Penalties for credit card fraud can range from Class A misdemeanors to Class C felonies, depending on the value of the unauthorized transactions and other factors. Identity theft is also illegal in North Dakota, as outlined in NDCC Section 12.1-23-11.1, which makes it a crime to use another person's personal identifying information without authorization for unlawful purposes, such as opening new credit accounts or making transactions. The severity of the charges for identity theft can also vary based on the circumstances and the amount of financial loss involved. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in North Dakota are encouraged to report the crime to local law enforcement and may also need to contact their financial institutions to protect their accounts.