Credit Card Fraud Laws in Alaska

Credit Card Fraud Laws in Alaska

Credit card fraud is a big problem in Alaska, like it is in the rest of the country. This article will explain the specific laws about credit card fraud in Alaska, what defenses you can use if accused, and the penalties if convicted. I’ll also discuss some of the pros and cons of the laws, and link to other useful articles. My goal is to be helpful and empathetic – I know dealing with credit card fraud can be scary and frustrating!

Alaska Credit Card Fraud Laws

There are a few main laws in Alaska that deal with credit card fraud:

• “Fraudulent use of an access card” – Using someone else’s credit card or credit card number without permission to buy things or get cash. This includes using a fake or stolen card, or using a real card without the owner’s OK. It’s a felony crime under Alaska Statute 11.46.285. The penalties get more severe depending on the value of what was bought or taken out – it ranges from a class C felony to a class B felony.
• “Obtaining a credit card by fraudulent means” – Getting a new credit card, or increasing the limit on an existing card, by lying on the application or otherwise committing fraud. This is a class C felony under Alaska Statute 11.46.290.
• Identity theft – Stealing someone’s personal information like their name, Social Security number, or birthdate, and using it to open new credit cards or make charges without permission. Alaska has an Identity Theft and Privacy Protection law that makes this a crime and allows victims to get a court order declaring they are not responsible for the fraudulent accounts.

The exact penalties for each crime depend on how much money was involved. But in general, credit card fraud in Alaska can be charged as anything from a misdemeanor to a felony carrying over 10 years in prison.

Defenses to Credit Card Fraud Charges

There are a few defenses that may apply if you’ve been accused of credit card fraud in Alaska:

• You had permission – For example, a family member or spouse said you could use their card. Or you had permission to sign for a purchase on a company card. Lack of criminal intent is a defense.
• Mistaken identity – You can show you were wrongly identified and it was actually someone else.
• Duress – You were forced to commit the fraud by threats of harm.
• Intoxication – You can argue you were involuntarily intoxicated and unable to form criminal intent.
• Necessity – You needed to illegally use a credit card to avoid imminent harm, like getting medical care in an emergency.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case and decide if any of these defenses might apply.

Pros and Cons of Alaska’s Credit Card Fraud Laws

Here are some of the pros of Alaska’s laws on credit card fraud:

• They provide different penalty levels based on the scope of the fraud, which seems fair.
• Charging serious fraud as a felony with prison time helps deter crime.
• The identity theft law gives victims a way to recover and get a court order declaring they aren’t liable.

Some potential cons or issues:

• Felony charges and prison time seem harsh for lower-level fraud by first-time offenders.
• It can be complex for victims to use the identity theft law and get court orders.
• More could be done to require companies to improve credit card security.

Overall the laws seem reasonably fair and provide tools to prosecute fraud and help victims. There’s always room for improvement, like finding alternatives to prison for some lower-level cases. But Alaska’s laws are similar to other states and try to balance different interests.

Other Relevant Resources

If you want to learn more about credit card fraud laws and defenses in Alaska, here are some useful resources:

• Alaska Credit Card Crimes Act – Provides definitions and other details on fraud crimes.
• Alaska Department of Law identity theft info – Explains victims’ rights and how to get an Identity Theft Passport.
• Alaska Identity Theft Passport application – Form to apply for a court order declaring you are a victim.

I hope this overview of Alaska credit card fraud laws is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.