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 New Hampshire, credit card fraud is considered a serious criminal offense. Under NH RSA 638:4, a person is guilty of credit card fraud if they knowingly use, take, or transfer a credit card or credit card number from another person without consent, with the intent to defraud. This includes using a lost or stolen credit card, as well as using card information without possession of the actual card (card-not-present fraud). Penalties for credit card fraud can range from misdemeanor to felony charges, depending on the value of the fraudulent transactions and the criminal history of the offender. Identity theft is also a criminal offense under NH RSA 638:26, which makes it illegal to use another person's personal identifying information to obtain goods, services, or credit, or to harm or impersonate the person. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in New Hampshire are encouraged to report the crime to local law enforcement and may also need to contact their credit card issuer and credit bureaus to mitigate the damage and prevent further fraudulent activity.