Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

credit card info

Okay this may be an odd question.

If a person had another person's credit card information (without the knowledge of the cardholder) but did not use it to make any charges, for fraud, or in any other way what so ever, is it illegal for the person to simply ''possess'' that information?

I know it is illegal to use another persons credit card for anything without their express permission, but I am curious about simply ''having'' another persons card info.

If it is illegal, could you please cite the specific law, statute, code, etc.. that would apply?

Thank you very much.


Asked on 9/27/08, 8:24 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: credit card info

Having the information is not illegal per se, but various means of obtaining it are. For example, if you got it by snooping into computer files which you are not authorized to access, you probably violated a provision of Penal Code section 502. Without knowing how you got the information, I can't say whether you have violated any laws.

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Answered on 9/27/08, 3:05 pm


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