Credit card companies must operate at a profit or they will go out of business. The amount they charge businesses and customers are based on the cost incurred in doing business.
Unpaid charges and theft are treated the same. Each of these events results in higher interest rates for other customers who do pay their debts.
It may appear clever to get away without paying your obligations but others who do honor their obligations have to pay for It.
You may want to try shoplifting next. Your fellow shoppers who do not steal also pay for that theft.
You are correct. Walmart manager in the family told me that about 20-25% of the price of goods sold there is to cover theft. There more theft, the higher the price goes PLUS inflation.