Report Fraud
If you've discovered fraudulent charges on your credit card, take immediate action to protect yourself and help others.
Immediate Actions Required
- Contact Your Credit Card Issuer Immediately
Call the number on the back of your card or your bank's fraud hotline. Most major banks have 24/7 fraud departments.
- Freeze or Cancel Your Card
Request that your card be frozen or canceled immediately to prevent further unauthorized charges.
- Dispute the Charges
File a formal dispute for all fraudulent charges. Most credit card companies have zero-liability policies for fraud.
- Request a New Card
Ask your bank to issue a new card with a new number to prevent future unauthorized use.
Report to Your Credit Card Company
When contacting your credit card issuer, be prepared to provide:
- The exact amount of each fraudulent charge
- The date of each charge
- The merchant name or descriptor as it appears on your statement
- Your account number (they may ask for verification)
- Any additional information about the charge
Tip: Keep a record of your conversation, including the representative's name, date, time, and any reference numbers provided.
Report on CreditCardChargeFinder.com
Help protect others by reporting fraudulent charges on our platform. This helps build our community database and warns other users about potential scams.
How to Report:
1. Search for the Charge
First, search our database to see if the charge already exists.
Search Charges →2. Add Your Experience
If the charge exists, navigate to its page and add a comment marking it as fraudulent. Include:
- That you've confirmed it's fraudulent with your bank
- The date you discovered the fraud
- Any relevant details about the charge
3. Submit a New Charge
If the charge doesn't exist in our database, submit it as a new charge.
Submit a Charge →Additional Steps to Take
Monitor Your Accounts
Check all your credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts for any other suspicious activity. Fraudsters often test cards on multiple accounts.
File a Police Report
For significant fraud cases, consider filing a police report. This creates an official record and may be required by your bank for certain types of fraud.
Place a Fraud Alert
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it harder for fraudsters to open new accounts in your name.
Review Your Credit Report
Check your credit report for any unauthorized accounts or inquiries. You're entitled to a free credit report from each bureau annually at annualcreditreport.com.
Change Online Passwords
If you suspect your card information was compromised through an online breach, change passwords for any accounts that may have been affected.
What to Expect
Timeline: Most credit card companies will investigate fraud claims within 10-30 days. You typically won't be responsible for fraudulent charges during the investigation.
Protection: Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges to $50, and most major credit card companies offer zero-liability protection.
Follow-up: Keep records of all communications and follow up if you don't hear back within the promised timeframe.