Unauthorized credit card charges can be scary and a hassle, but you won’t have to pay for these charges if you find and report them as soon as you notice them. To spot unauthorized charges, you have to pay close attention to every transaction on your credit card statement, no matter how big or small. You can catch unauthorized charges more quickly by monitoring your transactions onlinethroughout the month rather than waiting for your monthly billing statement.
Detect Unauthorized Credit Card Charges Early
Unauthorized credit card charges include any type of charge to your account for which you didn’t give permission. Often, unauthorized charges result from credit card theft—either from a stolen credit card or a compromised card number. Sometimes, unauthorized charges result from clerical error or a computer glitch. Either way, it’s your responsibility to find and report these charges as quickly as possible to minimize your liability for charges you didn't make.
Note
Before reporting charges to your credit card issuer, make sure the chargers weren't made by a joint account holder or authorized user on your account.
Many unauthorized credit card charges go unnoticed for several months because cardholders don’t thoroughly review their credit card statements. But early detection is crucial when it comes to correcting unauthorized charges. You could be liable for the charges if too much time passes from the time the charge is made to the timeyou report it. Specifically, the Fair Credit Billing Act says that you should report unauthorized charges and other credit card billing errors to your card issuer within 60 days of the date the statement containing the error was submitted.
For example, if an unauthorized charge was made on February 15 and your statement was submitted on March 1, you have until April 29 to dispute the charge in writing.The credit card issuer isn’t legally required to handle your dispute favorably if you report after 60 days.
Reporting Unauthorized Credit Card Charges
When you spot an unauthorized charge on your account, call your credit card issuer using the number on the back of your card. If you don’t have your credit card and you haven’t saved a copy of the phone number, use a recent billing statement or the card issuer’s website to find the correct number.
Never give information to someone whocalls or emails you claiming to be your credit card issuer, no matter how legitimate it seems. This is often a phishing scam that thieves use to get access to your personal or credit card information. Often the scam is used to gain access tothe three-digit security code on the back of your credit card or your billing zip code. Always initiate contact with your credit card issuer using a trusted phone number from your credit card,billing statement, or the credit card issuer's real website.
Once you have the correct number for your credit card issuer, call to report the unauthorized charges. They’ll typically cancel the compromised account and reissue a new credit card with a new account number.
Note
Report all unauthorized charges to your credit card issuer, no matter the amount. In one particular type ofcredit card scam, thieves will make a small charge to your account, only $1 or so, andthen follow up with a much larger charge. The small charge is typically just a test to see if the account is active and that the larger charge will go through.
To further ensure that your rights are protected, you should follow up with a dispute letter that explains the unauthorized credit card charges. Reference your phone call and include the name of the customer service representativewith whom you spoke.
Some credit card issuers require you to first try to resolve the unauthorized charge with the merchant. You can typically identify the merchant by reviewing your credit card statement. However, thieves sometimes spoof merchant information, making it appear as though charges were made with a particular merchant when they really weren’t (this has been an ongoing issue with some unauthorized iTunes charges). In this case, you’ll have to resolve through your credit card issuer rather than with the merchant.
Protect Your Rights
By law, you can be liable for up to $50 of unauthorized charges made before you reported a missing credit card, but many credit card issuers have zero fraud liability policies that removeyour liability for fraudulent charges. In addition, the Fair Credit Billing Act says that you’ll never be liable for unauthorized charges made while your card was in your possession. In other words, if the unauthorized charges were made with your credit card account information rather than your credit card, you won’t be held liable as long as you still have physical possession of your card.
Once you dispute an unauthorized charge, the credit card issuer will typically remove it from your account. In the meantime, you’re not responsible for paying the disputed portion of your balance. The card issuer can’t charge any fees or interest on that unpaid balance unless it’s later determined that you indeed authorized the charge.
Key Takeaways
To deal with unauthorized charges on your account:
- Check your account regularly to catch unauthorized transactions as quickly as possible.
- Report unauthorized charges as soon as you notice them—either to the merchant or your credit card issuer.
- Follow up the dispute with a letter to your credit card issuer to ensure your rights are fully protected.
- Take steps to protect your credit card information to prevent future unauthorized charges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
After I talk to my credit card company about a fraudulent charge, what should I do?
After filing a claim with your credit card company, consider talking to the merchant/seller associated with the charge. While the name could also be fraudulent, you may be able to communicate with them about getting a refund directly. It is also recommended that you follow up with a letter detailing everything discussed, who you spoke with, and any other relevant information to the company.
How can I prevent my credit card from being stolen online?
You can help keep your credit card safe online by using a service like PayPal, frequently checking your statements and reporting any suspicious activity, and never giving out any bank account information in person or over the phone. When shopping online, only share your credit card number with a reputable site.
How else do credit card companies protect me from fraud?
Credit card companies usually have fraud triggers that will notify you of any suspicious activity on your account. These triggers typically include purchases made in a different place, a change in spending habits, or cash withdrawals. Keep your contact information up-to-date to receive any notifications that could allow you to react quickly to potential credit card fraud.
