California Penal Code § 484j PC – Publishing Credit Card Information

California Penal Code § 484j PC makes it a crime to publish access card (credit or debit card) details, passwords, PINs, or personal identification codes with the intent to defraud another party.

Because section 484j PC addresses the dissemination of unauthorized financial credentials, it serves as a critical statutory tool for prosecuting online carding, phishing, and digital identity theft operations.

Statutory Text: PC 484j

Any person who publishes the number or code of an existing, canceled, revoked, expired or nonexistent access card, or the numbering or coding which will employ the card, or the account number or a code or computer program that will permit access to an account, without the authorization of the owner of the card or the issuer, with the intent that it be used or with the knowledge or reason to believe that it will be used to avoid the payment of any lawful charge, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Key Statutory Definitions

Publishes: Communicating, broadcasting, transmitting, or making access card information available to another person orally, in writing, electronically, or by posting online.
Access Card Information: Any credit or debit card number, expiration date, CVV security code, personal identification number (PIN), online banking password, or computer code enabling account access.
Intent to Defraud: A specific mental state where an individual acts with the explicit purpose or knowledge that the published information will be used to avoid lawful financial charges or steal funds.

What Must Be Proven to Convict

To secure a conviction, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

Actus Reus (Forbidden Act): The defendant published, transmitted, or distributed an access card number, account code, PIN, or login credential without authorization from the cardholder or issuer.
Knowledge: The defendant knew or reasonably should have known that the information pertained to a real, canceled, expired, or generated access account.
Mens Rea (Specific Intent): The defendant acted with the intent that the information be used, or with knowledge or reason to believe it would be used, to avoid paying lawful charges or commit fraud.

Criminal Penalties for PC 484j

Penal Code § 484j PC is strictly classified as a misdemeanor under California law.

Charge Type	Incarceration / Custody	Probation / Post-Release
Misdemeanor	Up to 6 months in county jail. Fine up to $1,000.	Summary (Informal) Probation

Note: While PC 484j is a misdemeanor, prosecutors often charge it alongside felony offenses like Identity Theft (PC 530.5) or Grand Theft (PC 487) when large-scale financial losses or multiple victims are involved.

Possible Legal Defense Strategies

Lack of Intent or Knowledge: A conviction requires proof that the defendant intended the information to be used for fraud or knew it would be used to avoid payment. Sharing card data for legitimate testing, educational security research, or without knowing it was stolen provides a complete defense.
Authorization or Consent: If the cardholder or issuing financial institution granted explicit consent to share, post, or transmit the account details, no crime under PC 484j occurred.
Unlawful Search and Seizure (4th Amendment): If law enforcement obtained digital files, chat logs, or computer equipment through an illegal search without a valid warrant or probable cause, a defense attorney can file a Motion to Suppress Evidence under PC 1538.5.

Examples of PC 484j Violations

An individual posts stolen credit card numbers along with their CVV codes on a dark web forum or group chat so others can make unauthorized online purchases.
A retail employee takes photos of customer credit cards and texts the card numbers and expiration dates to an accomplice with instructions to buy electronics.
A hacker writes and distributes a computer script containing stolen banking PINs designed to bypass payment gateways without settling charges.

Related Laws

Understanding related offenses matters because prosecutors often stack these charges or offer them as reduced plea bargains, depending on the defendant's intent and actions.

Penal Code § 484e PC – Credit Card Theft: Prohibits acquiring, selling, or transferring stolen credit or debit card information with the intent to defraud.
Penal Code § 484f PC – Forging Credit Card Information: Makes it a crime to alter, forge, or counterfeit access cards or forge cardholder signatures on receipts.
Penal Code § 530.5 PC – Identity Theft: Penalizes obtaining and using another person's personal identifying information for unlawful financial gain.
Penal Code § 502 PC – Computer Crimes: Covers unauthorized access, hacking, or alteration of computer systems, networks, or digital databases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is publishing an expired or fake credit card number illegal under PC 484j?

Yes, PC 484j explicitly prohibits publishing numbers or codes belonging to "existing, canceled, revoked, expired or nonexistent" access cards if done with fraudulent intent.

How does PC 484j differ from PC 484e (Credit Card Theft)?

PC 484e focuses on acquiring or stealing credit card information, whereas PC 484j focuses on publishing, broadcasting, or distributing account codes and passwords to others.

Can a person be charged under PC 484j if no money was actually stolen?

Yes, the crime is complete upon the unauthorized publication of the access card data with the requisite fraudulent intent; completed financial loss is not required.

Is Penal Code 484j a felony or a misdemeanor in California?

Penal Code § 484j PC is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in county jail, though prosecutors often file companion felony charges like PC 530.5 if systemic fraud occurred.

Does a PC 484j conviction affect non-citizens' immigration status?

Yes, because publishing credit card information with intent to defraud involves fraud and dishonesty, it can be classified as a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) and may carry immigration consequences.

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