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Published Jun 17, 2026Updated Jun 23 Major2
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Russian Legal Expert Warns Using Another Person's Bank Card Without Consent Can Lead to Up to Six Years in Prison
Russian legal expert Maria Yermilova warns that using another person's bank card without consent is considered theft or fraud, punishable by up to six years in prison. Family members are not exempt, and even without a cardholder complaint, law enforcement may initiate criminal cases.
Quick Facts
- using another person's bank card without consent can lead to up to six years in prison
- legally classified as theft or fraud
- law enforcement can initiate cases without a cardholder complaint
- cases cannot be closed due to reconciliation
- recommendation to document consent or issue additional card
A Russian legal expert has warned that using another person's bank card without their explicit consent may be classified as theft or fraud, carrying penalties of up to six years in prison. Maria Yermilova, an international financial adviser and associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, stated that the law does not exempt family members, including spouses, parents, or children, from liability.
According to Yermilova, if the account holder did not authorize a transaction and was unaware of the withdrawal, the action can be considered theft. The penalties for theft include a fine of up to 80,000 rubles and imprisonment for up to six years. If the purchase involved deception or abuse of trust, it may be classified as fraud.
The expert emphasized that even within families, obtaining clear permission from the cardholder is essential. Without that consent, each withdrawal may be legally viewed as theft. Moreover, criminal cases can be initiated by law enforcement even without a complaint from the cardholder, and such cases cannot be closed due to reconciliation between the parties.
To avoid legal risks, Yermilova recommended documenting consent through messaging apps or issuing an additional card to a trusted family member. She noted that some banks offer the option to add a relative as an authorized user via their mobile app, which ensures all transactions are lawful.
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Why This Matters
For anyone living in or traveling to Russia, this is a critical legal reminder: even borrowing a family member's bank card without explicit permission—whether to buy groceries or pay a bill—can trigger a criminal investigation and a prison sentence of up to six years. The risk is not just theoretical; law enforcement can initiate cases independently, and reconciliation does not close them. To avoid prosecution, the expert recommends documenting consent via messaging apps or requesting an authorized-user card from the bank. This directly affects how Russian cardholders and their families handle everyday financial transactions.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 16, 2026
WireVfokuse Mail publishes article quoting Yermilova's warning
Jun 17, 2026
WireYASIA publishes article with detailed explanation from Yermilova