How to Stop, Track and Report Fraudulent Charges on Your Accounts
Stop fraudulent charges in five steps: First, contact your bank's fraud department immediately by phone—this is your most critical action. Second, document the date, amount and merchant for each suspicious charge. Third, file a police report if fraud involves large amounts or identity theft. Fourth, report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official record. Finally, place fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus to prevent criminals from opening new accounts in your name. Federal law limits your credit card liability to $50 maximum when you report within 60 days of receiving your statement, though most banks waive this charge entirely.
The good news? You have powerful tools to fight back. This guide walks you through every step to stop fraud, recover your money, and shield yourself from future attacks.
Remember this crucial point: Never ignore suspicious charges. Contact your bank immediately when you spot anything unusual.
Types of credit card fraud you need to recognize
Understanding how criminals steal your information helps you spot fraud faster and protect yourself better.
Card skimming
Criminals install hidden devices at ATMs, gas pumps and store payment terminals. These devices steal your card information when you swipe or insert your card.
Watch for loose parts on card readers or anything that looks different from normal. Cover your PIN when typing to prevent hidden cameras from recording it.
Criminals capture:
- Your card number
- Expiration date
- Your PIN (via hidden cameras)
Prevention tips:
- Check for loose or unusual parts
- Cover the keypad when entering the PIN
- Use ATMs inside bank buildings when possible
Card-not-present fraud
This happens when criminals use stolen card details to shop online or over the phone. They don't need your physical card. They only need your credit card numbers.
Card-not-present (CNP) fraud is projected to reach $12.87 billion in 2026, an increase of $3.67 billion from 2023, according to a recent study by Mastercard.
The criminal has only your:
- Card number
- Expiration date
- CVV security code (3-4 digits on back)
They do NOT need:
- Your physical card
- Your PIN
- Your signature
Account takeover
Fraudsters gain control of your entire credit card or bank account. They change your contact information, request new cards and lock you out of your own account.
This type of fraud can cause the most damage because criminals have full access to your account for extended periods.
Warning signs:
- You stop getting bank statements
- Cannot log into online banking
- Bank says your phone number changed
- New cards arrive that you didn't request
Why it's dangerous:
- Criminals have extended access
- They can hide their actions
- Hard to detect quickly
Digital skimming
Also called e-skimming, this involves malicious code planted on shopping websites. The code steals your payment information when you enter it during checkout.
How it works:
- Criminals hack shopping websites
- They plant invisible code
- Code captures your card details
- You complete the purchase normally
Protection steps:
- Shop only on secure websites (https)
- Use digital wallets when possible
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for shopping
Fraud type comparison
| Fraud type | How it works | Prevention | Liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card skimming | Criminal devices steal your card info at ATMs, gas pumps or store terminals | Check for loose parts; cover PIN when typing | $50 max (credit card); $50-500 (debit card) |
| Card-not-present | Stolen card numbers used for online or phone purchases (71% of fraud) | Use secure websites (https); monitor statements daily | $50 max (credit card) |
| Account takeover | Fraudster gains full account access, changes contact info and locks you out | Use strong passwords; enable 2-factor authentication | $50 max (credit card) for fraudulent charges |
| Digital skimming | Malicious code on shopping websites steals payment information (tripled in 2024) | Shop on secure Wi-Fi; use digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) | $50 max (credit card) |
Warning signs of fraudulent activity on your account
Catching fraud early limits your losses and speeds up recovery. Watch for these red flags:
Small test charges
Criminals often start with tiny purchases under $10 to test if your card works. These "test charges" help them avoid detection before making larger purchases.
Check your statements for unfamiliar small amounts, especially from merchants you don't recognize.
Unexpected bank calls
Your bank calling about transactions you didn't make is a major warning sign. Banks use advanced systems to spot unusual spending patterns.
Never ignore these calls. Verify the caller is really from your bank by hanging up and calling the official number on your card.
Lower available credit
If your available credit drops without explanation, someone might be using your account. This happens even when you maintain normal spending habits.
Pending transactions you didn't make
Review pending transactions regularly. Fraudulent charges often show up as pending before they officially post to your account.
Associated Bank Fraud Support 24/7
Call fraud department now: 1-800-236-8866
- Immediate account freeze available
- New card issued the same day
- Fraud specialists available now
Step 1: Monitor your accounts and document fraud
Your first defense against fraud is staying alert to what's happening in your accounts. Modern banks use powerful security systems to catch most fraud before it hits your account. However, some fraudulent charges still slip through these safeguards.
Check your accounts every day. Most banks offer mobile apps that make this quick and easy.
When you find suspicious activity, document everything immediately:
- Date and amount of fraudulent charges
- Merchant names and locations
- Your account numbers are affected
- Names and dates of everyone you contact about the fraud
Keep written records of all phone conversations. Follow up verbal reports with emails or letters to create a paper trail.
Step 2: Contact your bank's fraud department immediately
Call your bank the moment you spot a fraudulent charge. This is your most important step.
Your bank has dedicated fraud departments with special phone numbers for reporting suspicious activity. Look for this number on the back of your credit card or debit card.
What happens during the bank investigation?
Banks must complete fraud investigations within 10 business days in most cases. If they need more time, they'll credit your account for the disputed amount while continuing their investigation.
During the investigation, your bank will:
- Analyze the transaction date, time and location
- Compare the fraud to similar cases in their system
- Review your normal spending patterns
- Contact the merchant involved
The bank will place an immediate hold on your compromised card to prevent additional fraudulent transactions.
Getting your money back
Banks typically remove fraudulent charges from credit cards or return stolen money to checking and savings accounts. This process usually happens within a few business days for clear cases of fraud.
Consider requesting a new card with different numbers to prevent future fraud on the compromised account.
Associated Bank Fraud Support 24/7
Call fraud department now: 1-800-236-8866
- Immediate account freeze available
- New card issued the same day
- Fraud specialists available now
Step 3: File a police report when necessary
Filing a police report isn't always necessary, but it can be helpful in certain situations.
You should file a report when:
- The fraud involves large amounts of money
- Someone you know stole your information
- You've experienced multiple types of identity theft at once
- Your bank requests a police report for their records
Local police departments handle these reports differently, but most have standard procedures for identity theft cases.
The report creates an official record that can help with insurance claims and provides law enforcement with information about fraud patterns in your area.
Step 4: Report identity theft to federal authorities
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) maintains a national database of identity theft and fraud cases. This information helps law enforcement agencies worldwide track fraud patterns.
Visit IdentityTheft.gov to:
- File your fraud report online
- Create a personalized recovery plan
- Access resources for different types of identity theft
- Find step-by-step guides for various fraud situations
The FTC's database helps investigators connect related fraud cases across the country. Your report might help catch the criminals who targeted you and prevent identity theft attacks.
Step 5: Place fraud alerts with credit bureaus
Contact each credit bureau to place fraud alerts on your credit reports. These alerts warn lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name.
Place Fraud Alerts – Call Now (Free)
TransUnion Credit Services
800-680-7289 | www.transunion.com
Takes about 15 minutes | Available 24/7
Equifax Credit Services
800-525-6285 | www.equifax.com
Takes about 15 minutes | Available 24/7
Experian Credit Services
888-397-3742 | www.experian.com
Takes about 15 minutes | Available 24/7
Tip: Call one bureau, and they'll notify the other two. But calling all three ensures complete coverage.
Consider freezing your credit
Credit freezes provide stronger protection than fraud alerts. A freeze completely blocks access to your credit reports, preventing anyone from opening new accounts in your name.
Freezing and unfreezing your credit is completely free. All three bureaus offer easy online portals for managing credit freezes.
You should freeze your credit if:
- Criminals used your information to open new accounts
- You've been targeted multiple times
- You want maximum protection and don't plan to apply for credit soon
Your legal rights against credit card fraud
Federal law provides strong protections for fraud victims that many people don't know about.
Credit card fraud protection
For credit cards, federal law limits your liability to $50 maximum for unauthorized charges—but only if you report the fraud within 60 days of receiving your statement.
In practice, most banks waive this $50 charge entirely when you sign an affidavit confirming the charges are fraudulent.
If only your account numbers were stolen (not your physical card), you have zero liability for fraudulent charges under federal law.
Debit card fraud protection
Debit card protections depend on how quickly you report the fraud:
- Report within 2 business days: $50 maximum liability
- Report within 60 days of receiving your statement: $500 maximum liability
- Report after 60 days of receiving your statement: Potentially unlimited liability
This is why checking your accounts daily is so important with debit cards.
Associated Bank Fraud Support 24/7
Call fraud department now: 1-800-236-8866
- Immediate account freeze available
- New card issued the same day
- Fraud specialists available now
How to prevent future fraudulent charges
Beyond basic monitoring, these tactics significantly reduce your risk of fraud.
Secure online shopping
Always verify that websites show "https" in the address bar before entering payment information. The "s" means your data is encrypted in transit.
Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi networks. Criminals can intercept your information on unsecured wireless connections.
ATM and payment terminal safety
Use ATMs in secure, well-lit locations such as bank lobbies, when possible. Criminals prefer isolated locations for installing skimming devices.
Before using any card reader, check for:
- Loose or wobbly parts
- Anything that looks different from normal
- Extra attachments or unusual cables
Cover the keypad completely when entering your PIN. Hidden cameras often record PIN entries from multiple angles.
Digital wallet benefits
Apple Pay, Google Pay and similar mobile payment apps provide extra security. They use encrypted tokens instead of transmitting your actual account numbers.
Even if criminals intercept the payment data, they can't use the tokens to make purchases elsewhere.
Account monitoring tools
Set up account alerts for all transactions above $1. Most banks offer free text or email alerts that notify you within minutes of any account activity.
Consider using credit monitoring services that alert you to new accounts opened in your name.
Your fraud recovery timeline
SAME DAY
- Contact bank fraud department immediately
- Request card replacement
- Ask about account hold/freeze
WITHIN 24 HOURS
- Document all fraudulent charges
- Gather transaction details and merchant names
- Keep records of bank conversations
WITHIN 7 DAYS
- File Federal Trade Commission report (IdentityTheft.gov)
- File police report (if applicable)
- Download FTC Identity Theft Report
WITHIN 14 DAYS
- Place fraud alerts with all 3 credit bureaus
- Consider a credit freeze for maximum protection
- Monitor your credit reports
WITHIN 30 DAYS
- A bank investigation is typically completed
- Fraudulent charges removed from the account
- New card arrives and is activated
- Continue daily account monitoring
WITHIN 60 DAYS
- Final deadline for credit card fraud reporting
- The bank provides written fraud investigation results
- Any remaining disputes resolved
ONGOING
- Check accounts daily for 90 days
- Monitor credit reports quarterly (free at AnnualCreditReport.com)
- Review credit score for suspicious new accounts
Fraud recovery checklist
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS (Do This Today)
☐ Contact the bank fraud department by phone
☐ Have account numbers and transaction details ready
☐ Request card replacement with new numbers
☐ Ask the bank to place a temporary hold on the account
DOCUMENTATION (Complete Within 24 Hours)
☐ Write down date, amount and merchant for each charge
☐ Note the names of bank employees you spoke with
☐ Record dates and times of phone calls
☐ Print or save email confirmations from the bank
FEDERAL REPORTING (Complete Within 7 Days)
☐ Visit IdentityTheft.gov and file an FTC complaint
☐ Download and print your FTC Identity Theft Report
☐ File local police report (if applicable)
CREDIT PROTECTION (Complete Within 14 Days)
☐ Call Equifax: 800-525-6285
☐ Call Experian: 888-397-3742
☐ Call TransUnion: 800-680-7289
☐ Place fraud alert on all three reports
ONGOING MONITORING (This Month and Beyond)
☐ Check accounts daily for 30 days
☐ Review credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com
☐ Set up account alerts for all transactions
☐ Monitor credit score for new accounts
Associated Bank fraud support: 1-800-236-8866 (24/7)
Key takeaways
- Act immediately: Contact your bank the same day you spot unauthorized charges. Your liability depends on how quickly you report fraud, especially with debit cards, where you must report within 2 business days to limit liability to $50.
- Document everything: Write down the date, amount, merchant name and your account number for each fraudulent charge. Keep records of every phone call with your bank.
- Federal law protects you: Credit card fraud limits your liability to a maximum of $50 (usually waived entirely). Debit card protections depend on speed: Report within 2 business days for a $50 maximum liability; within 60 days for a $500 maximum liability.
- Use multiple defenses: Combine daily account monitoring, fraud alerts from credit bureaus and security tools like digital wallets to prevent future attacks.
- Get professional help: Associated Bank's 24/7 fraud team can freeze your accounts, issue new cards and guide you through the entire recovery process.
- Your credit rating improves: Once fraudulent charges are removed from your accounts, your score returns to previous levels.
