Report fraud to your card issuer first, then to the Federal Trade Commission

When you spot unauthorized charges on your credit card, call the phone number on the back of your card or log into your online account to report it directly to your bank or credit card company. This is your fastest route — most issuers have a fraud department that works around the clock, and reporting by phone gets you a case number the same day. Your issuer will freeze the card, dispute the charges, and send you a replacement within 5 to 10 business days.

After you report to your card issuer, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. This creates an official record that helps law enforcement and gives you a recovery plan tailored to your situation. The FTC report takes about 10 minutes and generates a document you can show to creditors or banks if the fraud spreads beyond one card.

If the fraud involved your personal information being stolen — not just a single card number — also file a police report with your local police department or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. Police reports matter when identity thieves open new accounts in your name, because creditors will ask for one before they close fraudulent accounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your card issuer's fraud line immediately when you spot unauthorized charges; most issuers reverse fraudulent transactions within 24 to 48 hours.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official record and receive a personalized recovery plan.
  • File a police report if the fraud involved stolen personal information or if new accounts were opened in your name.
  • You are not liable for unauthorized charges on a credit card, but reporting within 60 days protects you under federal law.
  • Monitor your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for months after fraud to catch accounts opened without your knowledge.

What happens when you call your card issuer

Your card issuer's fraud department will ask you to confirm your identity, then walk through each disputed charge with you. Have your card and recent statements ready. The representative will ask whether you recognize the merchant, the location, and the date — this helps them spot patterns (for example, charges in two cities on the same day, or repeated small charges to test whether the card is active).

Once you report a charge as fraudulent, the issuer will typically reverse it within 24 to 48 hours while they investigate. You are not responsible for paying it during that time. The issuer will send you a new card with a different number, usually within 5 to 10 business days. Ask whether they can expedite it if you need the card sooner — some issuers offer next-day delivery for an extra fee or at no charge during fraud cases.

Keep the case number the issuer gives you. You will need it if you have questions about the dispute later, and you may need to reference it when you file your FTC report.

Filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and select "Report identity theft." The site will ask you a series of questions about what happened: whether it was credit card fraud, account takeover, new account fraud, or another type. Answer based on what actually occurred — if someone used your existing card number without permission, select credit card fraud. If someone logged into your online banking account, select account takeover.

The FTC report asks for details like the date you discovered the fraud, which companies were involved, and whether you have already reported it to anyone. You do not need to have all the details perfect — the report is meant to capture what you know at that moment. The FTC uses these reports to track fraud patterns and alert law enforcement.

When you finish, the FTC generates a personalized recovery plan that lists the next steps you should take. For credit card fraud, this usually means monitoring your credit reports and checking your other accounts for unauthorized activity. Download and save this plan — some creditors ask to see it if you later report fraud on a different account.

When to file a police report

File a police report if someone used your stolen personal information to open new credit accounts, take out loans, or commit identity theft beyond a single fraudulent card charge. You can file with your local police department in person or online, depending on where you live. Some departments have an online fraud reporting system; others require you to come in.

If the fraud involved an online merchant or crossed state lines, you can also file with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. This report goes into a federal database and helps the FBI track organized fraud rings. You do not need to file both a local police report and an IC3 report — one is usually enough — but filing with both does not hurt.

Bring your FTC report and your card issuer's case number to the police station. These documents show that you have already taken official steps and help the police understand the scope of the fraud. Ask for a copy of the police report number before you leave; you will need it if you later dispute fraudulent accounts opened in your name.

Protecting yourself while the dispute is underway

Check your credit reports from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — within a week of reporting the fraud. You can order free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for accounts you did not open, inquiries from creditors you did not contact, or addresses that are not yours. If you find anything suspicious, contact that creditor immediately and provide your police report number.

Place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting any one of the three bureaus; they will notify the other two automatically. A fraud alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. It lasts one year and is free. If you discover new fraudulent accounts later, you can renew it.

Consider a credit freeze if the fraud was serious or if you are worried about future identity theft. A freeze locks your credit file so that no creditor can access it without your permission — this prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. You can place a freeze for free at each of the three bureaus' websites. You will need to temporarily lift the freeze if you apply for credit yourself, but you control when and for how long.

What you are not responsible for paying

Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you are not liable for unauthorized charges on a credit card if you report them within 60 days of the statement date. Most card issuers reverse fraudulent charges much faster than that — often within 24 to 48 hours — so the 60-day window is a safety net, not a tight deadline.

If you reported the fraud to your card issuer but the charge still appears on your bill, contact the issuer again and reference your case number. Ask them to confirm the dispute status and when you can expect the reversal. If the charge is not reversed within 30 days, escalate to the issuer's customer service supervisor.

Debit card fraud is different: you have only 48 hours to report it to avoid liability for the full amount. If you use a debit card, report fraud immediately by phone rather than waiting to file online.

Monitoring your accounts after fraud

Set up account alerts with your card issuer so you receive a notification for every transaction. Most issuers let you choose the alert threshold — you might set it to alert you for any charge over $1, or only for charges over $50. Alerts help you catch fraud faster the next time.

Check your credit card and bank statements every week for the next three months, then monthly for the rest of the year. Fraudsters sometimes test stolen card numbers with small charges first, so watch for unfamiliar merchants or amounts that seem odd. If you spot anything, report it to your issuer immediately.

If the fraud involved your Social Security number or personal information, monitor your credit reports for at least 12 months. Criminals sometimes wait months before opening new accounts, so staying vigilant pays off. You can order free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com once per year, or use a credit monitoring service that alerts you to new inquiries or accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my money back after I report fraud?

Most card issuers reverse fraudulent charges within 24 to 48 hours. The full investigation may take 30 to 60 days, but you will see the credit to your account much sooner. During the investigation, the charge is marked as disputed and does not count against your credit limit or payment due.

Do I have to pay interest on fraudulent charges while they are being disputed?

No. Once you report a charge as fraudulent, your card issuer must not charge you interest on that amount while they investigate. If interest was already charged, ask the issuer to remove it when they reverse the charge.

What if the fraud happened on a card I closed?

You can still report it. Call the issuer's customer service line and ask to speak with the fraud department. Provide your old card number and the charges you want to dispute. The issuer will investigate even though the card is closed.

Will fraud on my credit card hurt my credit score?

No. Fraudulent charges do not appear on your credit report once they are disputed and reversed. Your credit score is based on your payment history, credit utilization, and other factors — not on fraud that was not your fault. However, if a fraudster opened new accounts in your name, those accounts could hurt your score until you close them.

Can I dispute a charge I authorized but now regret?

No. Fraud disputes are only for unauthorized charges — charges you did not make or permit. If you authorized a purchase but changed your mind, contact the merchant first to request a refund. If the merchant refuses, you can file a chargeback dispute with your card issuer, but that is a different process and has different rules.