Establishes new offenses concerning unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners.
Impact
Under the proposed law, possessing a credit card scanner without a lawful purpose is classified as a disorderly persons offense. Penalties for this offense may include a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for a term of up to six months. Furthermore, utilizing a credit card scanner for unlawful purposes escalates the crime to a second-degree offense, carrying a significant fine of up to $150,000 and a prison sentence ranging from five to ten years. These changes are designed to deter individuals from engaging in illegal activities regarding credit card information, ultimately seeking to protect consumers from fraud.
Summary
Assembly Bill A757 introduced in New Jersey aims to establish new legal offenses relating to the unlawful possession and use of credit card scanners. The bill defines a credit card scanner as a device that can electronically or otherwise read, record, or transmit information encoded on credit, debit, or other charge cards. The primary focus of the bill is to address issues of fraud and theft associated with the misuse of these devices, which have become widespread in various illegal activities. With the increase in identity theft and fraudulent transactions, this bill seeks to enhance legal repercussions for misuse.
Contention
The bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance between increasing lawful control over new technologies and potential overreach into personal freedoms. Critics may argue that the bill could unfavorably target individuals who possess scanners for legal purposes, as the definition of lawful intent could be scrutinized. There may also be concerns about how stringent penalties affect individuals compared to organized criminal groups who engage in large-scale fraud. Supporters, however, emphasize the necessity of stricter laws to combat rising rates of identity theft and financial fraud effectively.