What To Do In Cases of Credit Card Fraud

Credit card scammers are getting smarter and smarter. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” isn’t always a good thing, especially when it comes to people who want fast money. Even with all the steps you can take to prevent credit card fraud, it can still happen. If you or someone you know has become a victim of credit card fraud, there are steps to take to ensure your credit isn’t damaged for the long term.

The first thing you should do is contact the credit card company or organization and have the account(s) closed. Contacting the company will help to prevent any future credit card fraud on your accounts. Speak with a representative in the fraud department. These people are best equipped to handle your needs. After this phone call, follow up with a letter to the company explaining the situation. Keep a copy of this letter for your records. By law you are no longer responsible for unauthorized charges once you have reported the credit card fraud.

File a police report as soon as possible. A police report will help you as you dispute any fraudulent credit card charges. Once the report has been filed, obtain copies for each of the creditors to let them know that you were a victim of fraud.

Contact the three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Have your account flagged with a fraud alert. Also obtain a copy of your credit report. By law, these companies are required to issue a free credit report to those who have been victims of fraud. Once you receive a credit, you should dispute, in writing, any instances of credit card fraud. Finally, contact the Federal Trade Commission, FTC, and report the fraud.

Of course, you should always be proactive and try to prevent fraudulent usage of your credit cards. In the case that you do become a victim, contact all the necessary parties as soon as possible to reduce the amount of damage to your credit reputation.