CHAPTER 414

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding thereto a section num-
bered 18.1-119.1, relating to obtaining goods, property or services by
false or fraudulent use of credit cards or other false and fraudulent
means, and providing penalties therefor.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding thereto a section
numbered 18.1-119.1, as follows:

§ 18.1-119.1. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to
obtain or attempt to obtain credit, or to purchase or attempt to purchase
any goods, property or service, by the use of any false, fictitious or coun-
terfeit credit card, telephone number, credit number or other credit device,
or by the use of any credit card, telephone number, credit number or other
credit device of another beyond or without the authority of the person to
whom such card, number or device was issued, or by the use of any credit
card, telephone number, credit number or other credit device in any case
where such card, number or device has been revoked and notice of revoca-
tion has been given to the person to whom issued.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or attempt to obtain,
by the use of any scheme, device, means or method, telephone or telegraph
service or the transmission of a message, signal or other communication
by telephone or telegraph, or over telephone or telegraph facilities with
intent to avoid payment of lawful charges therefor.

(c) The word “notice” as used in paragraph (a) hereof shall be
notice given in writing to the person to whom the number, card or device
was issued. The sending of a notice in writing by registered or certified
mail in the United States mail, duly stamped and addressed to such person
at his last known address, requiring delivery to the addressee only with
return receipt requested; and the actual signing of the receipt for said
mail by the addressee, shall be prima facie evidence that such notice was
duly received.

(d) Any person who violates any provisions of this section shall, if
the value of service, purchase, credit or benefit procured is fifty dollars or
more, be deemed guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof be con-
fined in the Penitentiary not less than one nor more than ten (10)
years, or be confined in jail not exceeding one year, or be fined not exceed-
ing five hundred dollars ($500.00), either or both, or if the value be less
than fifty dollars ($50.00), be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be
fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or confined in jail not
more than six months.