Credit Card Fraud and Unauthorized Transactions: What to Do

Discovering an unfamiliar card transaction can be stressful, but acting quickly can limit further problems.

Check the transaction first

Before reporting a charge, verify whether it could be a legitimate purchase. Merchant names on statements do not always match the store name customers remember. Also check whether a family member or authorized user made the purchase.

Contact the issuer

If the transaction is genuinely unauthorized, contact the card issuer through an official channel. Follow the issuer’s process for reporting the transaction and securing the account.

Protect the account

Depending on the circumstances, the issuer may block the card, issue a replacement, or take other security measures. Review recent transactions for additional unfamiliar activity.

Strengthen account security

Use a strong, unique account password and enable available security features such as transaction alerts or multi-factor authentication. Avoid entering card details into suspicious websites or responding to unsolicited requests for account information.

Keep documentation

Save relevant messages, statements, order information, and reference numbers. If a dispute is opened, having a clear record can make follow-up easier.

Monitor after the incident

Do not stop checking the account once one fraudulent transaction is resolved. Review subsequent statements and alerts.

Credit cards generally provide dispute and fraud protections, but the exact rules and deadlines vary by country and issuer. The safest approach is to notify the issuer promptly and follow its instructions rather than assuming every unfamiliar transaction will automatically be reversed.