Credit card fraud: How to spot and report it

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.

Credit card fraud: three words that can put a damper on your travel, business or everyday life. Unfortunately, you can’t prevent credit card fraud by keeping physical possession of your rewards credit cards. You could still fall victim due to a data breach, a credit card skimming device, malware on your computer, a phishing scheme or other attempts at unauthorized use of your cards.

Credit card image. THOMAS TRUTSCHEL/PHOTOTHEK VIA GETTY IMAGES

You can minimize the inconvenience of credit card fraud by spotting it early and reporting it quickly. Here’s what you need to know.

What is considered credit card fraud?

The FBI defines credit card fraud as “the unauthorized use of a credit or debit card, or similar payment tool (ACH, EFT, recurring charge, etc.), to fraudulently obtain money or property.” In other words, if someone steals your credit card information or otherwise uses your account for purchases or transactions you didn’t authorize, that’s credit card fraud. It usually happens in one of two ways:

You lose your credit card, or your credit card is stolen, and then it is used to make purchases or other transactions — either online or in-person.
Your credit card account number and security PIN are stolen and used to make unauthorized purchases or transactions without your physical card.

How to spot credit card fraud

Always review your account activity. HERO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

The best way to spot credit card fraud is to monitor your card account frequently for unfamiliar charges. It’s best to do this throughout the month to quickly catch any unfamiliar charges. But, at a bare minimum, you should review the charges on your billing statement every month before paying your balance.

If you have authorized users on your account, ask them about any charges you don’t recognize. You could ask that authorized users submit receipts for any purchases they make on your account, as this can help you determine which charges are authorized.

You can also set up spending notifications for most accounts. These notifications can usually be sent by email, text or through a push notification on your phone and are a great way to see when and how your card account is used — especially if you have authorized users on your account.

How to report credit card fraud

Set up account notifications on your phone. D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES

If you spot unauthorized transactions on a card, the best way to report credit card fraud is to call your credit card issuer. It’s safe and easy to use the number on the back of your card since you know this is the official phone number. But, if you don’t have your card, you can log in to your account online. There, you should be able to either find the phone number you need or use the chat feature to report your credit card fraud.

Use the phone number associated with your account if possible, as this will reduce the number of security questions you need to answer. Once you get a representative, explain you’ve detected an unauthorized transaction on your account.

This advice holds if your card is lost — regardless of whether it has been used. Report it immediately to prevent that loss from turning into fraud.

What happens when you report credit card fraud?

When you call your card issuer to report credit card fraud, the representative will ask you questions and usually deactivate your compromised card and card number. The company will issue a new card, which is generally sent to your home address. If you need the card urgently, be sure to say so, as the issuer may be willing to overnight you the new card.

Usually, calling your card issuer is all you need to do if you detect unauthorized transactions on just one card account. But it’s a good idea to check your credit report, keep an eye on your other accounts and monthly statements and regularly change your online passwords. When you check your credit report, look for unfamiliar inquiries, new accounts you didn’t authorize or addresses where you’ve never lived, as these can be signs that someone has stolen your identity. Additionally, make sure you recognize all activity on your accounts and bank statements. If you notice any issues, take appropriate action quickly, as you could be a victim of identity theft.

Are you liable for unauthorized charges?

One fear when you see unauthorized charges on your credit card is that you might be liable for those charges. Luckily, the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) limits your liability. Specifically, the Federal Trade Commission notes that:

Under the FCBA, your liability for unauthorized use of your credit card tops out at $50. However, if you report the loss before your credit card is used, the FCBA says you are not responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize. If your credit card number is stolen, but not the card, you are not liable for unauthorized use.

In other words, if you keep your physical card in your possession or you’re able to report that your card was stolen before it was used, you won’t be liable for any charges. Even if the physical card is stolen and charges are made before you report the theft to your card issuer, you’ll only be liable for up to $50. Many cards go a step further by offering a fraud liability benefit that means you won’t be responsible for any unauthorized charges if your card is lost or stolen.