How to Report Credit Card Fraud

5 Min Read | Last updated: August 28, 2023

A woman at her desk, using a laptop and reviewing papers, prepares to report credit card fraud.

This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.

Learn how to report credit card fraud and protect your finances. Here are some things to consider when reporting credit card fraud to take action against unauthorized transactions.

At-A-Glance

Credit card fraud is on the rise, but there are several things you can do to take back control of your credit.
It’s important to report credit card fraud as soon as you suspect it, to your card company, local law enforcement, and the credit reporting agencies.
Prepare to provide your card issuer with details of fraudulent transactions and proof that you didn’t make them.

Credit card fraud is a type of identity theft that involves criminals making purchases or obtaining cash advances in your name.¹ Credit card fraud is both a federal and state crime and can include:²

Opening a new account with stolen identification
Taking over an existing account
Making purchases without the card being present
Using a counterfeit or fake card
Using a lost or stolen card

Unfortunately, how to report credit card fraud is a question more people ask every year, as the volume and value of fraud increases annually. Federal Trade Commission data show 2.4 million fraud reports in 2022, including nearly 442,000 cases of credit card fraud. Moreover, 2022 saw a 13% surge in fraudulent new credit card accounts.³ The good news is, the sooner you act to report credit card fraud, the less likely you’ll encounter any serious ramifications—and the sooner you can regain control of your personal finances.

4 Types of Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud comes in different forms, so knowing the different types of credit card fraud can help you spot fraud faster. Always be on the lookout for suspicious activity on your cards and notify your card issuer immediately if you lose a credit card, are locked out of your account, or notice suspicious activity.

Identity theft

Identity theft for credit card fraud comes in two forms: application fraud and account takeover. Application fraud occurs when someone uses your information to apply for a credit card. This can have a negative impact on your credit score, though recognizing this fraud can help you avoid responsibility for purchases. An account takeover occurs when someone gets access to your card and then changes your account information to lock you out. In this case, you may have trouble logging into your account online or using your card.

Card not found fraud

Unlike a stolen or lost card, card not found fraud sees scammers use your credit card information without having physical access to your card. If a scammer steals your name and credit card number, they may have enough to commit fraud. You can only catch these charges when reviewing your statement or your recent purchases online.

Stolen or lost card

If you lose your card or your card is stolen, thieves can use the card to easily make purchases. The best way to protect against this type of fraud is to contact your credit card issuer the moment you realize your card is missing.

Card skimming or cloning

Card skimming and cloning happen when a thief steals your credit card’s data and information and creates a clone card. A common skimming method involves fitting a skimming device onto a machine that processes credit cards, such as those at a gas station or convenience store. You can only spot this type of fraud by checking recent activity on your card. Your credit card issuer might also begin blocking purchases and then inform you of suspicious activity.

Report Credit Card Fraud to Your Card Issuer

Experts say that if you detect unfamiliar charges on your monthly statement or get a bill for a credit card account you don’t recognize as your own, it’s time to report credit card fraud. It’s key to removing fraudulent charges, closing unauthorized accounts, and reclaiming control of your credit. You’ll want to start by contacting your credit card company right away. Be ready to provide:

Your name and account contact information
General account information, including your credit card number, security code, and billing address
Security questions and answers to verify your identity for account access
Details of the unauthorized transactions, including dates, amounts, and merchants
Information to help prove the transaction was fraudulent, for example, a police report or evidence that shows you were not where the transaction happened

Other circumstances of the fraud, such as whether your card was stolen or is missing, where and when you last remember having it, etc.

Reporting credit card fraud to your card issuer generally triggers immediate action. The card company will likely suspend, reverse, or at least begin investigating the questionable charges. It may freeze or close the account and provide a new card and account number. The goal is to stop, or at least limit, additional charges. Your liability is limited to $50 for fraudulent charges, but some credit card companies will waive the full amount.⁴

Report Credit Card Fraud to Law Enforcement Agencies

In addition to credit service providers, experts recommend reporting credit card fraud to your local police and government agencies. For the police, you can report fraud in-person at a nearby stationhouse, call the non-emergency police number, or via an online form, if available.

Report Credit Card Fraud to the FTC

Likewise, it’s also important to report credit card fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this by filing a identity theft report online at IdentityTheft.gov. The information you provide will be used to create your FTC identity theft report as well as a recovery plan.⁵

Report Credit Card Fraud to the Credit Bureaus

Next, it’s a good idea to report credit card fraud to the credit bureaus. Call or go online to alert the bureau of fraud details and place a fraud alert on your credit report. With a fraud or security alert in place, any transactions must be verified by you before processing, and new accounts in your name will be hard to open without your knowledge because you’ll be contacted any time an inquiry is made for your report. You may want to consider a freeze, which experts agree is the best defense against identity theft. For more, read “Should I Freeze My Credit? Survey Says …”

In more serious cases, you can request that an “extended fraud alert” be added to your credit report. This statement asks lenders to verify your identity before processing credit or loan applications that are made in your name for seven years. You have to make an extended fraud statement request in writing and will likely have to provide additional documentation. On the plus side, contacting one bureau triggers the other two major credit bureaus to add the statement as well.⁶

The Takeaway

Credit card fraud can happen to anyone with a credit card. Reporting credit card fraud to your card issuer as soon as possible is always the best course of action. It’s also a good idea to read your card’s terms and conditions early on, to familiarize yourself with how to go about reporting fraudulent transactions.

^1,4 “Steps to Take if You Are the Victim of Credit Card Fraud,” Experian

² “Credit Card Fraud,” FindLaw

³ “Consumer Sentiment Network Data Book 2022,” Federal Trade Commission

⁵ “IdentityTheft.gov,” Federal Trade Commission

⁶ “Extended Fraud Alert: Submit a Request,” TransUnion

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Laurel Nelson-Rowe is a longtime writer and editor focusing on business technology, cybersecurity, media, corporate culture, and quality management.

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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