How to File for Credit Card Fraud
According to the website FinancialWeb, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States. Credit card fraud is part of identity theft. It involves the unauthorized use of credit card information with the intent to defraud. If you are a victim of credit card fraud, you should file a report immediately. This includes contacting your credit card company and local law enforcement. You can also contact a credit bureau to place security measures on your credit file and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
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Instructions
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Call your credit card company. Notify them you have been a victim of credit card fraud.
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File an identity theft report with your local police department. Provide as much information as you can regarding the fraud.
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Call one of the major credit reporting agencies. These include Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Notify them you would like to place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report. Both are security measures designed to combat credit fraud. A fraud alert notifies creditors that you have been a victim of credit fraud. A credit freeze prevents anyone from accessing your report except creditors you currently do business. Some states allow non-creditors such as potential employers, insurance companies and landlords to access your report.
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Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Visit its website or call the Identity Theft Hotline at 877-438-4338. You will need to complete an affidavit by mail, phone or online before the FTC can investigate the fraud.
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Tips & Warnings
You only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert or credit freeze. It is required to contact the other two credit bureaus.
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