A credit card fraud charge can carry harsh penalties — and the consequences reach far beyond the courtroom. But these cases often involve complex financial records and evidence that can be challenged with the right defense. Protect your rights and your reputation.
Credit card fraud—legally known as financial transaction card fraud in Georgia—is a serious crime with life-changing consequences. Whether you’re accused of using someone else’s card, falsifying information on an application, or processing fake transactions, you could be facing felony charges, jail time, and a permanent criminal record.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we understand that these charges often come with intense pressure—from investigators, banks, and even your own family. We’re here to help you face those accusations head-on. Our firm defends people—not just cases—through meticulous legal strategy, clear communication, and a commitment to getting your life back on track.
Credit card fraud in Georgia is governed by O.C.G.A. § 16-9-33, under the broader category of Forgery and Fraudulent Practices. The legal term for credit card fraud in Georgia is financial transaction card fraud, and the statute covers a wide range of conduct, including:
This statute is broad—and prosecutors often use it to charge multiple counts from a single incident.
You don’t have to be involved in a high-stakes identity theft ring to face serious charges. We’ve defended people from all walks of life accused of:
Some cases involve misunderstandings, honest mistakes, or bad judgment—but the law doesn’t always leave room for those explanations. That’s why a strategic, fact-driven defense matters.
Under O.C.G.A. § 16-9-33 (2024), a person commits financial transaction card fraud when, with intent to defraud, they engage in any of the following behaviors:
The penalties vary depending on the value of the fraud over a six-month period.
According to O.C.G.A. § 16-9-38, penalties break down as follows:
The value includes all transactions related to the fraud during that period. So if you’re accused of multiple small transactions, they can be added together and charged as a felony.
To convict someone of credit card fraud, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
Intent is a key element. Prosecutors often rely on circumstantial evidence—such as text messages, bank statements, surveillance footage, or even the timing of purchases—to prove what you were thinking at the time of the transaction.
That’s where we come in.
We don’t accept the narrative the prosecution presents at face value. We dig deep, analyze the evidence, and ask the tough questions. Some of the strategies we may use include:
You may have used the card or account number without knowing it was stolen, revoked, or unauthorized. This is especially common in cases involving:
In digital or in-person fraud cases, we often find:
If investigators searched your home, car, phone, or bank records without a valid warrant, we may be able to get key evidence suppressed.
When charges involve application fraud, we may argue that:
Georgia law allows business owners and employees to be charged for altering charge tickets, billing for goods never delivered, or processing fake transactions to receive payment. We work with small business owners, store clerks, and online sellers facing these types of accusations.
If you’ve been caught in a merchant dispute or are under investigation by a card issuer or law enforcement, we can help protect your rights and reputation.
If you’re under investigation or have been charged with financial transaction card fraud in Newnan or Coweta County, follow these steps:
J. Ryan Brown Law defends clients facing credit card fraud and financial crimes in:
Whether this is your first offense or you’ve been charged with fraud before, we’ll develop a defense tailored to your unique situation and legal goals.
These charges don’t just threaten your finances—they threaten your future. You deserve an attorney who treats your case with the seriousness it deserves and who isn’t afraid to push back when the government overreaches.
Contact J. Ryan Brown Law now to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll review your charges, explain your rights, and build a defense designed to protect your freedom, your reputation, and your future.
