Skip to content

TCA 39-14-118

Illegal possession or fraudulent use of credit or debit card

MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

This statute makes it illegal to possess or fraudulently use a credit or debit card without authorization. The offense includes taking control of someone else's card or using card information, knowing you don't have permission—or using a stolen, forged, expired, or cancelled card to obtain property, services, or credit. If property is actually obtained, penalties match theft charges; if no property is obtained, it's a Class A misdemeanor with up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass A Misdemeanor
Maximum Jail11 months 29 days
Maximum Fine$2,500
Penalty SummaryClass A misdemeanor; 11 months 29 days; fine up to $2,500
(a) A person commits the crime of illegal possession of a credit or debit card who, knowing the person does not have the consent of the owner or issuer, takes, exercises control over or otherwise uses that card or information from that card. (a)(38) or a specific statute exists covering the same or similar conduct. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106(b) A person commits the crime of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card who uses, or allows to be used, a credit or debit card or information from that card, for the purpose of obtaining property, credit, services or anything else of value with knowledge that: (1) The card is forged or stolen; (2) The card has been revoked or cancelled; (3) The card has expired and the person uses the card with fraudulent intent; or (4) For any other reason the use of the card is unauthorized by either the issuer or the person to whom the credit or debit card is issued. (c) (1) Fraudulent use of a credit or debit card is punishable as theft pursuant to § 39-14-105, depending on the amount of property, credit, goods or services obtained. (2) If no property, credit, goods, or services are actually received or obtained, illegal possession or fraudulent use of a credit card is a Class A misdemeanor.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-14-118
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500
Recent Bookings8+

Geographic Distribution

Putnam
26
Davidson
19
Fayette
16
Shelby
8
Hamilton
8
McMinn
7
Bradley
7
Campbell
6
Anderson
6
Roane
4
Giles
4
Washington
3

+ 10 more counties