Texas Penal Code § 32.31 – A Felony That Can Destroy Your Future in Minutes

In Texas, Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse is committed when a person:

• Uses a card (or card number) without the effective consent of the cardholder
• Knows the card is expired, revoked, stolen, or fictitious
• Presents the card with intent to obtain a benefit fraudulently
• Steals or receives a stolen card with intent to use it

Even one unauthorized swipe or online purchase can trigger a felony.

Identity theft, skimming devices, and organized retail fraud rings are prosecuted as first-degree felonies with federal involvement.
Common situations that lead to charges

• Using a lost or stolen card “just once”
• Letting a friend use your card then claiming it was stolen
• Buying or selling card numbers on the dark web or social media
• Waiters or clerks skimming cards at restaurants or gas stations
• Using a parent’s or ex’s card without permission

Why You Need Barton & Associates Immediately

These cases are investigated by specialized financial crimes detectives and Secret Service agents. Search warrants hit phones, computers, and bank accounts within hours. Once you’re indicted, restitution demands and federal holds make bond almost impossible.
At Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law, our former felony prosecutors and board-certified defense team have dismissed or reduced hundreds of credit-card fraud cases by:

• Proving actual consent or authorization
• Showing the cardholder is lying to cover their own debt or family dispute
• Attacking illegal searches of phones, Venmo, Cash App, and Bitcoin wallets
• Negotiating pre-charge civil compromises with victims to avoid prosecution
• Securing personal bonds and deferred adjudication that keep your record clean

We respond 24/7 and can stop investigators from seizing your devices before they destroy your life. If you or a loved one is under investigation or has been arrested for credit card fraud, debit card abuse, or identity theft in Texas, contact Barton & Associates, Attorneys at Law for a free, confidential consultation.