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720 ILCS 5/17-32 – Possession of Another’s Credit, Debit, or Identification Card

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Posted by Christopher Combs on April 3, 2026

720 ILCS 5/17-32 – Possession of Another’s Credit, Debit, or Identification Card

This law makes it illegal to have or use someone else’s ID, debit, or credit card without permission.

This Illinois law says it’s against the law to carry or use another person’s ID, debit, or credit card if you plan to trick or cheat someone. It also explains what kinds of punishment someone can get depending on how many cards they have and what they do with them.

(a) Possession of another’s identification card. A person breaks this law when they hold or use someone else’s check guarantee card, key card, or ID card for a money machine without permission from the person or bank, if they are trying to cheat or steal.

(b) Possession of another’s credit or debit card. A person breaks this law if they take or keep a credit or debit card that belongs to someone else without their consent, or if they know it was taken and still plan to use it, sell it, or give it to another person who isn’t the bank or the card owner. If someone has two or more cards that belong to other people, it’s assumed they are breaking this law.

(c) Sentence:

  1. Breaking part (a) is a Class A misdemeanor. If someone does this with three or more cards from different people within 12 months, it becomes a Class 4 felony. If what was taken is worth more than $150 in one or more deals within 90 days, it’s also a Class 4 felony.
  2. Breaking part (b) is a Class 4 felony. If someone does this with three or more credit or debit cards from different people within 12 months, it becomes a Class 3 felony.

View the full statute here.

Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.

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