Fraud Charges Faced by Two Individuals After Small Apartment Fire in NW Atlanta

A young man and woman were taken into custody by the Atlanta Police Department after a fire occurred at an apartment complex in NW Atlanta. APD were called to a building in the complex after Atlanta Fire Rescue requested a checkin on a small trash fire. 

The small trash fire led to the two individuals leaving in handcuffs after police reported some suspicious items in the apartment that led them to arrest the two on fraud charges.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline one of the multiple charges being faced by the two individuals.

Financial Transaction Card Theft in Georgia

The criminal offense of financial transaction card theft in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code as:

A person commits financial transaction card theft when a person:

• Takes a credit or debit card from the cardholder without their consent
• Knowingly possesses a stolen credit or debit card without the owner's consent with the intent to use it or sell it
• Knowingly possesses a credit or debit card that has been lost or delivered to the wrong person with the intent to use it or sell it
• Buys a lost, stolen, or forged credit or debit card from another person
• Possesses two or more lost, stolen, or forged cards within one year.

However, if a person takes, obtains, or withholds a financial transaction card without consent of the cardholder, then it is considered theft by taking. O.C.G.A. §16-9-31.

If convicted of financial transaction card theft in Georgia, then a person will be charged with a felony. The consequences can include a fine up to $5,000.00 and a prison term between one and five years, or both.

Practice Note

Fraud Crimes in Georgia are taken very seriously in the state of Georgia. Georgia Felony Punishments are also nothing to be taken lightly. If you or a loved one has been arrested, contact our offices today. 

A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney can help you with your case now.