---
title: "Credit Card Fraud Defense"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/credit-card-fraud-defense-161-en"
field: "Criminal Law"
description: "Article 286 — computer data offences and card cases in Georgia: fines up to seven years. Defence lawyer Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-14"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Credit Card Fraud Defense

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/credit-card-fraud-defense-161-en

## Bank-card cases and Article 286

Charges connected with fraud by means of bank cards fall within the scope of application of Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Georgia — the norm that protects computer data and computer systems. Card operations in modern payment systems are built precisely on the processing of computer data, and the prosecution in such cases relies on the elements of this norm: the unauthorized damaging, deletion, alteration or concealment of computer data, as well as the unauthorized insertion or transmission of data.

If such a charge concerns your family, or if you are the victim of card fraud, it is important to know exactly what this norm covers and which circumstances aggravate the punishment.

## The first part — the violation of computer data

The first part defines the basic composition: the unauthorized damaging, deletion, alteration or concealment of computer data is punishable by a fine or by corrective labour for a term of up to two years and/or by imprisonment for the same term. The wording of the law — "and/or" — means that the choice of the kinds of punishment depends on the circumstances of the case.

## The second part — disruption of the functioning of a system

The second part regulates a broader composition: an act provided for by the first part, as well as the unauthorized insertion or transmission of computer data that has caused a deliberate significant disruption of the functioning of a computer system, is punishable by a fine or by corrective labour for a term of up to two years and/or by imprisonment for a term of up to three years.

## The third part — qualified compositions

Under the third part, an act provided for by the first or second part is punishable — when it is committed: by a group with prior agreement; through the use of an official position; more than once; or where it has caused significant damage — by a fine or by corrective labour for a term of up to two years, or by imprisonment for a term of three to five years.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/crim-criminal-law-en/credit-card-fraud-defense-161-en

### What punishment is provided for the violation of computer data?

For the basic composition — a fine or corrective labour for up to two years and/or imprisonment for the same term; for the qualified composition — imprisonment from three to five years; against a subject of a critical information system — from four to seven years.

### How is this norm connected with bank-card cases?

Card operations are built on the processing of computer data, and the prosecution in such cases relies on the unauthorized alteration, insertion or transmission of data.

### When is the act punishable by four to seven years?

When it is committed against a subject of a critical information system.

### Can a legal person be held liable?

Yes — by a fine, deprivation of the right to carry out an activity, or liquidation and a fine.