Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I have great credit right now, but due to losing my job I know I will not be able to pay off loans this month. I expect this to ruin my credit score. My question is the following: is it illegal for me under CA or federal law to apply for credit cards while my credit is still good and buy things with no intention of paying it back, since I know my credit will tank soon anyway? I understand it is unethical, but what about illegal? I don't see what law I would be breaking. I'm not lying on the application and the CC company is the one that sends me offers.


Asked on 11/20/09, 4:46 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Linden Scott H. Linden, Esq.

You state in your question, " buy things with no intention of paying it back", therefore, the answer is yes. Your intended actions are illegal because you are planning to purchase items with no intent to pay. You would be guilty of one of the theft statutes, depending on the value of the items that are purchased/stolen.

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Answered on 11/25/09, 1:23 pm


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