What Should I Do About Fraudulent Credit Card Activity?

While you’re working hard to find great deals and optimize your holiday shopping, criminals are working hard to steal and use your credit card information. If you haven’t experienced an unauthorized charge on a credit card yet, you probably know someone who’s been a victim of fraudulent credit card activity.

Thieves don’t wait for the holidays to steal. But with extra charges on credit cards this time of year — they likely get away with it more.

Warning Signs of Credit Card Fraud

You may not even realize someone is trying to use your credit card number. Banks and credit card companies take many precautions to flag fraudulent charges. Transactions may be declined, or cardholders may be required to confirm a purchase.

This usually happens if an item doesn’t match your normal spending patterns. Or if the sale originates from foreign or high-fraud geographic locations not near your residence.

During this hectic time of year, be extra careful about possible phishing attempts too. Criminals may call, email, or send texts in an effort to get you to share personal information. Before you tell them anything, obtain the official phone number of the company who is asking for information and call them to verify the request.