What constitutes illegal possession or fraudulent use of a credit card?

The scenario described addresses the concept of illegal possession or fraudulent use of a credit card, which is primarily concerned with unauthorized control or use. Exercising control over a credit card without the owner’s consent signifies that the individual is utilizing the card without legitimate authorization from the cardholder, thereby constituting a fraudulent act.

In legal terms, unauthorized use typically indicates that the person did not have permission from the credit card owner to access or use the credit card in any manner, which can include making purchases or accessing credit. This forms the basis for fraud-related charges, as it violates the trust and agreement established between the cardholder and the issuing credit institution.

The other options present scenarios that involve legitimate use of a credit card. Using a credit card with the owner's consent implies that the transaction is authorized and therefore legal. Similarly, having permission to use the card would not fall under illegal possession, as consent is key. Lastly, while using an expired card may lead to issues regarding the validity of the transaction, it does not inherently indicate fraudulent use unless the user had no consent to begin with; even then, the legal ramifications differ from those of unauthorized possession.

The focus on unauthorized control without consent is pivotal in establishing the illegal aspect of credit card usage.