Credit card fraud reporting is essential at the first signs of fraud. Credit card fraud is quite common these days. Most people think that credit card fraud only happens when a credit card is lost or stolen. This information is incorrect. These days those that commit fraud find creative ways to gain the credit card numbers of others. Much of the fraud that takes place happens over the phone, online, and in public places. Some of these criminals may even be the friendly cashier or customer service representative spoken to over the phone. Cardholders must take extra precautions to prevent credit card fraud.
When and How to Report Credit Card Fraud
Cardholders should report credit card fraud as soon an unauthorized credit card transactions appear on a billing statement. Credit card companies require cardholders to report credit card inaccuracies within 60 days of receiving the statements or they lose the right to dispute the charges. Time is the most important thing is reporting fraud. There is no reason to wait.
The following are the steps that cardholders must take to report credit card fraud to a credit card company:
· Call the credit card company as soon as unauthorized charges appear on the credit card statement or once the credit card is lost or stolen. Use the customer service number as the first step to reporting fraud.
· Always follow the phone call with a letter to the credit card company. Report the fraud in writing and by making personal contact. Include the reporting date of the loss, credit card number, and date the unauthorized charges were discovered.
· Complete the fraud affidavit from the credit card company and return the form immediately. Keep a copy for yourself.
· Stay in contact with the representative to monitor the process.
Tips of Reporting Credit Card Fraud
- Customers should record information about the phone call with customer service. Write down the name and identification number of the person spoken to from the credit card company. Also record any dates or additional numbers given by the representative.
- It is best that the customers cooperate completely with credit card company representatives. It is common that anyone that is a victim of fraud may be very angry. Do not take frustrations out on the representative because this is the person that has to assist with the account fraud.
- Contact the state attorney general or the state and local consumer protection agency. There are laws related to credit card fraud that can reinforce a fraud victim’s situation. Cardholders should search the business pages of the local phonebook for contact numbers.
Cardholders are not responsible for the majority of fraudulent credit card charges. The law only holds the cardholder responsible for the $50 liability fee for these charges. It is advised that cardholders pay the monthly credit card charges on the amounts they charged but not the disputed charges. It is important to continue to make payments for personal charges until the credit card company resolves the dispute in question. Cardholders can also receive a free credit report, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and place a fraud alert on credit reports if they are a victim of credit card fraud. Credit card fraud does not mean the end of a cardholder’s great credit history. Report the incident immediately to the credit card company.