• If you find unfamiliar charges on your credit card bill or discover signs of unusual activity, act immediately to limit damages. Contact the card issuer and tell them about the fraudulent charges. You’ll probably be liable for only $50 of the fraudulent charges, but different issuers have different policies; ask for a full explanation. Most creditors will promptly issue replacement cards with new account numbers.


• Keep track of your efforts. Ask to receive a document verifying that you’re not responsible for the charges. Keep a record of all relevant phone calls you make, including the date, the name of the person you spoke with and that person’s department. Follow up each phone call with a letter describing the relevant facts, and keep a copy for yourself.


• Get a copy of your credit report to check for other fraudulent activity. Protect yourself with a fraud alert. The thief who has used your credit card may try to get your credit report in order to use other accounts of yours or to open new accounts in your name.
  

<-- Previous Chapter | Next Page -->