As used in this study, the term "plastic cards" is a generic term that encompasses bank-issued and retail-store credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, and check-guarantee cards. In the United Kingdom plastic-fraud losses have fluctuated widely over time, increasing from 31.2 million pounds in 1982 to 125.6 million pounds in 1990, and reaching 165 million pounds in 1992. In a pilot study to explore some features of motivation, learning, and markets in plastic fraud, the author and some associates conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 fraudsters in various parts of England, found by "snowball" sampling. Six indepth interviews were conducted; the other interviews were more superficial. As a partial check, interviews were conducted with several heads of police check squads from throughout the United Kingdom regarding fraudsters' lifestyles. Individual motivation and social networks are key components of criminal markets. This study identified stages that occur between an offender's motivation and criminal action as he/she confronts barriers to choosing and committing plastic fraud. The barriers discussed are the financing of the criminal opportunity, the obtaining of card or card-like instruments, using cards or card- like instruments to obtain money or goods, disposing of the goods for money or social prestige, and evading conviction. Prevention efforts may move in the direction of greater card-holder authentication by iris-scans, finger-scans, or having the customer tap in the PIN at point of sale against data encoded on the "chip cards" that are being introduced in the United Kingdom; however, the United Kingdom will remain attractive for fraudsters who use foreign cards that may operate on a different system that makes them immune to particular prevention technology. More analytical investment into breaking the encryption and re- encoding cards will continue, generating even greater social exclusion for the marginal, technically unskilled motivated fraudster, who may nevertheless find a social niche in using the cards. 9 notes and 16 references