If you suspect that your credit card or credit card information has been stolen, investigate the situation immediately. Many times people don't know their cards have been stolen until charges have already been made and damage done. The more a thief has used your card, the more time and energy you'll have to spend tracing and correcting the problem, so act quickly to find out if someone has been stealing your credit cards.
Step 1
Check your current credit card statement for purchases or cash withdrawals that you didn't make. If you don't have your current statement, call your credit card company and ask for a list of the most current charges.
Step 2
Verify your contact information with a customer service representative at your credit card company. Sometimes, a credit card thief will change your billing information so that you don't get statements with the unauthorized charges.
Step 3
Obtain a copy of your credit report. (You're entitled to one free copy of your credit report each year under federal law; visit Annualcreditreport.com to request yours.) Note any unfamiliar accounts or items on your report, and follow up with the credit reporting agency to dispute them in writing. Also look for queries from companies you never contacted or for accounts that you don't recognize.
Step 4
Continue this process for the next 12 months because credit activity doesn't always show up on your credit report right away and charges may not show up on your statement immediately.
Tips and Warnings
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends taking action if you get a call or letter from a creditor or debt collector about a debt you don't owe, if you receive a credit card you didn't apply for or if you are denied a loan or credit that you believe you should have qualified for, as all of these factors may indicate credit card or identity theft. If your credit card has been stolen, you must report the information immediately or you risk being liable for charges made by the thief.
Member Comments