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 South Carolina, credit card fraud and identity theft are considered serious criminal offenses. Under South Carolina Code of Laws Section 16-14-60, it is illegal to use or allow someone else to use a credit card to obtain goods, services, or anything else of value with the intent to defraud. This includes using a stolen or lost credit card, as well as using credit card information without authorization for in-person or online transactions. Additionally, identity theft is addressed under Section 16-13-510, which makes it unlawful to use or possess with intent to use the identifying information of another person without their consent and with the intent to obtain credit, goods, services, or other benefits. Penalties for these crimes can include fines, restitution, and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and the value of the fraudulent transactions. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in South Carolina are encouraged to report the crime to law enforcement and may also need to contact their financial institutions to protect their credit and financial interests.