What is credit card fraud & how do you report it?

Credit card fraud is the most common type of identity theft, according to data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The good news is that if this happens to you, there are steps to follow. And when reported, the impact of credit card fraud can be limited.

Key takeaways

• Victims of credit card fraud should report it immediately to their card issuer.

• An individual’s credit scores may be affected if fraudulent activity isn’t reported and bills go unpaid.

• Checking bills and credit reports regularly can help you identify potential fraudulent activity.

• The Fair Credit Billing Act limits cardholders’ liability for unauthorized charges to $50.

• Some issuers, including Capital One, offer $0 liability for unauthorized charges.

Credit card fraud is a form of identity theft that occurs when someone uses another person’s credit card or credit card information to buy something or access an account without permission. The scammer doesn’t need to actually have the physical card to commit this type of fraud.

Credit card fraud sometimes gets confused with credit card disputes. A dispute may occur when a cardholder doesn’t agree with how a company has used their card—but has still given them permission to use it. Generally, this isn’t considered credit card fraud. This applies even if a scammer has persuaded someone to purchase something with their credit card. In other words, if the cardholder has authorized the purchase—even under false pretenses—it may not be credit card fraud.

Because the process for disputing a charge is different from reporting fraud, cardholders need to be clear about whether they’re dealing with fraud or a dispute.

Credit card fraud can take many different forms, and it’s getting more sophisticated all the time. Here are some common types:

CNP fraud is committed over the phone or online when a scammer has the card details but not the physical card. This information could have been bought on the dark web—or could have been acquired through a phishing scam or data breach.

Credit card skimming occurs when someone creates a fake—or cloned—card using someone else’s information. Thieves place a device called a skimmer over the card slot on an ATM or other card reader, like at a gas pump. When you slide your card through the slot, the skimmer reads and stores all your data. Thankfully, cards that come equipped with EMV chips make it more difficult for scammers to create duplicate cards.

Fraudsters often get a hold of personal information by dumpster diving, skimming or stealing mail. With details like your home address, Social Security number and birth date, they might be able to access your credit card account or apply for a new card in your name.

Lost or stolen card fraud is an old-school credit fraud method. It can happen when a fraudster uses a card that someone has lost, whether they dropped it in the street, had it stolen in the mail or were pickpocketed.

Here are some common signs to look for if you suspect credit card fraud:

• Unfamiliar transactions on monthly credit card statements

• Small account charges, which hackers sometimes use to avoid detection

• Blocked access to an account 

• Changes to a credit report that weren’t authorized, like new credit accounts or unfamiliar addresses

• Unexpected calls from creditors or collection agencies

The sooner credit card fraud is detected and reported, the quicker you can stop any unauthorized spending in your name. That can help protect your credit scores and limit your liability for any fraudulent charges.

When credit card fraud—including credit card theft, unauthorized purchases and suspicious activity—is suspected, it should be reported immediately using these steps:

If you’ve noticed one or more charges on your account you don’t recognize, you can follow these steps before reporting credit card fraud:

• Go back through your receipts to remind yourself where you’ve been, what you’ve bought and how much you’ve spent.

• Look up the merchant online to see if it has a parent company or a business name different from the one you know. That name might be the one that’s on your bill.

• Check with any family members or friends authorized to use the account to make sure they didn’t make the transactions in question.

You could also set up instant purchase notifications in the Capital One Mobile app to monitor your account. You can enable notifications that include the amount of the purchase and information about the merchant.

If you suspect credit card fraud, you should contact your credit card issuer immediately to report it. The issuer will then begin a fraud investigation where they will collect any necessary information to make their assessment.

If fraud is suspected, the card will likely be locked so that no one else can use it. You can also freeze your card directly through most credit card mobile apps. 

As part of the process, the existing credit card will likely be canceled and a replacement card with a new number will be issued. 

If you still have the physical card, you can call the toll-free number on the back of the card. If you don’t have it, you can also contact your card issuer by letter or email. 

Many companies also offer fraud reporting directly through their app or website.

Setting up a credit card fraud alert with a credit bureau makes it harder for anyone to change the details of any existing credit accounts or to open new ones. When in place, a fraud alert requires potential lenders to verify the identity of the applicant before creating any new accounts in their name.

To set up a fraud alert, you only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax®, Experian® or TransUnion®. The bureau contacted will then alert the other two. The alert can also be canceled at any time.

Credit freezes are a similar option. But they require you to set up a freeze at each individual bureau.

Filing a report through the FTC at Identitytheft.gov can assist law enforcement agents in their investigation and in recovering any stolen belongings. The FTC refers any reports made to the relevant authorities and offers resources to help get victims back on track.

Taking the steps above could help victims of credit card fraud. But there are also ways to prevent it from happening. Here are some tips from the FBI and the FTC to help prevent credit card fraud:

• Enable notifications and security features. Instant purchase notifications may help you keep track of spending in real time. Plus, fraud alerts and card lock features can help you spot unusual or suspicious charges or allow you to lock your card. Capital One customers can access and enable security features by adding the Capital One Mobile app to their phone or by signing in to their account online.

• Keep your account information secure. Don’t give account information over the phone without confirming that the caller is who they say they are. 

• Secure the physical cards. Never lend a credit card to anyone, and shred any old cards, statements and receipts. Wallets or purses should also be closely guarded when out in public, and never leave them unattended.

• Watch out for suspicious behavior. Stay alert during any transaction that requires handing over a credit card. And don’t place your card into any card-reading device that seems unusual. This could include the device being loose, crooked or damaged.

• Review your statements and credit reports regularly. Save receipts to compare them with monthly statements, and make sure that everything looks correct. It’s also a good idea to check your credit reports as often as you can and question anything you don’t recognize.

• Be cautious when making online purchases. Be on the lookout for phishing scams that require opening a link or an attachment or ones that ask for money or personal information. And consider using virtual card numbers to help protect your credit card account for online transactions.

• Monitor your credit score. CreditWise from Capital One lets you monitor your credit score and receive alerts when something changes on your credit report. This can help you see potential fraud quickly. CreditWise also offers free dark web monitoring. And it’s free for everyone, not just Capital One cardholders.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about credit card fraud:

When someone steals your credit card or credit card information to make fraudulent purchases, it can impact your overall financial health. That’s why working to prevent credit card fraud is important. 

While the law and credit card issuers may be there to help, it’s still a good idea to be careful. Cardholders can learn the signs of fraud and act quickly to report suspected fraud and prevent it from happening.

And there are many ways to help keep your credit cards safe from fraudsters. These include enabling your card’s security features, shredding old credit cards when you get new ones and not sharing account information over the phone. You can also use virtual card numbers to protect your credit card account for online transactions.