IL SB2972

Increases criminal penalties for unlawful use of scanning devices or reencoders to defraud payment card holders from Class 4 felony to Class 3 felony for first offense.

Increases penalty for second or subsequent violations of scanning device or reencoder fraud from Class 3 felony to Class 2 felony.

Defines the offense as knowingly using a scanning device to access or store information from a payment card's magnetic strip without authorization and with intent to defraud the cardholder, card issuer, or merchant.

Also covers using a reencoder to transfer payment card information onto a different card without permission and with fraudulent intent.

Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.