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 Utah, credit card fraud is considered a serious criminal offense and is covered under various state statutes as well as federal law. Under Utah Code §76-6-506.3, the unlawful use of a financial transaction card, which includes credit cards, is prohibited. This includes using a card that has been stolen, revoked, canceled, or obtained fraudulently to make unauthorized transactions. The severity of the punishment for credit card fraud in Utah depends on the value of the fraudulent transactions and can range from a class B misdemeanor for amounts less than $500 to a second-degree felony for amounts exceeding $5,000 or if the defendant has prior convictions. Additionally, identity theft is addressed under Utah Code §76-6-1102, which makes it illegal to knowingly or intentionally use or attempt to use the personal identifying information of another person without permission to commit fraud. Penalties for identity theft can also be severe, including imprisonment and fines, and are determined based on the circumstances of the crime and the amount of financial loss involved. Victims of credit card fraud or identity theft in Utah are encouraged to report the crime to law enforcement and may also need to contact their financial institutions to protect their accounts.