What to Do If Your Card Was Used Without Permission

Regularly reviewing your bank and credit card statements can help you spot suspicious transactions early.

If your card is declined for no reason, someone may have reached your spending limit due to fraudulent charges.

Many banks send alerts for purchases. If you receive one for an unfamiliar transaction, it could be fraud.

Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to dispute fraudulent charges and prevent further misuse.

Many banks allow you to freeze your card temporarily via mobile apps. If fraud is confirmed, request a replacement card.

If fraud was due to a data breach or phishing attack, update your passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

Review recent transactions, credit reports, and linked accounts for other signs of identity theft or unauthorized access.

Some banks offer temporary card numbers for online purchases, reducing the risk of fraud.

Enable SMS or email alerts for all card transactions to detect suspicious activity quickly.

Hackers can intercept payment details on unsecured networks, so always use a secure connection.

Checking your transaction history frequently helps catch fraudulent charges before they escalate.

If your personal details were stolen, contact credit bureaus to add a fraud alert or freeze your credit file.

Work with your bank to remove unauthorized charges and ensure they do not impact your credit score.

Request a free credit report and review it for accounts you don’t recognize.

Unauthorized card transactions can be stressful, but quick action can limit financial damage. By reporting fraud, securing your accounts, and implementing preventive measures, you can safeguard your finances from future threats.