(a) A person commits the crime of illegal possession of a credit or debit card if, knowing that he or she does not have the consent of the owner, he or she takes, exercises control over, or otherwise uses the card.

Attorney's Note

Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class D felony1 to 5 yearsup to $7,500
For details, see Ala. Code § 13A-5-6
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Terms Used In Alabama Code 13A-9-14

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • writing: includes typewriting and printing on paper. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(b) A person commits the crime of fraudulent use of a credit card or debit card if he or she uses, attempts to use, or allows to be used, a credit card or debit card for the purpose of obtaining property, services, or anything else of value with knowledge that:

(1) The card is stolen; or
(2) The card has been revoked or cancelled; or
(3) For any other reason the use of the card is unauthorized by either the issuer or the person to whom the credit card or debit card is issued. The mere use by the original issuee of a credit card or debit card which has expired is not within the provisions of subdivision (b)(3) of this section.
(c) “Credit card” means any instrument or device, including a card to obtain telecommunication services, whether known as a credit card, credit plate, bank service card, banking card, check guarantee card, welfare card, a card used to facilitate the transfer of government benefits such as an electronic benefit transfer card (EBT card) or similar card, or a debit card, or by any other name, including an account number, issued with or without fee by an issuer for the use of the cardholder in obtaining money, goods, services, or anything else of value, including telecommunication services, on credit or for use in an automated banking device to obtain any of the services offered through the device.
(d) “Debit card” means any instrument or writing or other evidence known by any name issued with or without fee by an issuer for the use of a depositor in obtaining money, goods, services, or anything else of value, payment of which is made against funds previously deposited in an account with the issuer.
(e) Illegal possession of or fraudulent use of a credit card or debit card is a Class D felony.
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