If i find out about situation where a friend has used a credit card of someone that has died, can i be charged because i did not report it?
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If i find out about situation where a friend has used a credit card of someone that has died, can i be charged because i did not report it?
Asked on November 23, 2014 under Criminal Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
No, there is no legal obligation to report most crimes (there are a few exceptions in many states, like child sexual abuse), and person A is not liable for the crimes of person A simply because A has knowledge of the crimes. Of course, under certain circumstances, such as if there is a police investigation and you are questioned but lie to the police about what you know, where you could face liability (e.g. impeding a police investigation) due to having knowledge, but in those cases, it's not the knowledge per se that creates liability--it's your own actions, in light of that knowledge, that cause the problem. Simply knowing and not affirmatively reporting however, will not cause you any problems, since you are not legally required to step forward and report a credit-card crime.
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