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 Oregon, credit card fraud and identity theft are serious criminal offenses. Under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 165.800, identity theft is defined as the fraudulent acquisition of another person's personal identification information with the intent to use it for any unlawful purpose, including obtaining credit. This can include using someone's credit card number without permission. Credit card fraud specifically may fall under ORS 165.055, which addresses fraudulent use of a credit card, and ORS 165.057, which pertains to possessing a stolen credit card or the information thereof. Penalties for these crimes can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the amount of money involved. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Oregon are encouraged to report the crime to local law enforcement and may also need to contact their financial institutions to protect their accounts. Additionally, federal laws such as the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) provide certain protections to consumers, allowing them to dispute unauthorized charges and limit their liability for fraudulent transactions.