Iowa criminal charge
Credit cards in Iowa
Credit cards is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 715A.6. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 715A.6.
What is the penalty for credit cards in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Credit card fraud - value greater than $10,000 — Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured by means of the credit card is greater than ten thousand dollars.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Credit card fraud - value greater than $10,000 — Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured by means of the credit card is greater than ten thousand dollars.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Credit card fraud - value $1,500 to $10,000 — Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured is greater than one thousand five hundred dollars but not more than ten thousand dollars.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Credit card fraud - value $1,500 to $10,000 — Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured is greater than one thousand five hundred dollars but not more than ten thousand dollars.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Credit card fraud - value $1,500 or less — Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured is one thousand five hundred dollars or less.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Credit card fraud - value $1,500 or less — Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured is one thousand five hundred dollars or less.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is credit cards classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card fraud - value greater than $10,000 | Class “C” Felony | Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured by means of the credit card is greater than ten thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 715A.6(2)(a) |
| Credit card fraud - value $1,500 to $10,000 | Class “D” Felony | Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured is greater than one thousand five hundred dollars but not more than ten thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 715A.6(2)(b) |
| Credit card fraud - value $1,500 or less | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Applies when the value of the property or services secured or sought to be secured is one thousand five hundred dollars or less. | Iowa Code § 715A.6(2)(c) |
Common questions about credit cards in Iowa
Is credit cards a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: credit cards ranges from a Aggravated Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 715A.6.
Credit card fraud - value greater than $10,000: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 715A.6(2)(a)) · Credit card fraud - value $1,500 to $10,000: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 715A.6(2)(b)) · Credit card fraud - value $1,500 or less: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 715A.6(2)(c))
What are the penalties for credit cards in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers credit cards?
Credit cards is governed by Iowa Code § 715A.6 (Credit cards).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.