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TextCredit Card Fraud
- What is credit card theft/fraud?
- What is not credit card theft/fraud?
- Who can investigate credit card theft/fraud?
- What should I do if I am a victim of credit card theft/fraud?
- How can I protect myself from becoming a victim of credit card theft/fraud?
- Where can I find additional information and resources?
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Did you know that the definition of Credit Card includes credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, store credit cards, gift cards, or any account number given to you for the purposes of supplying you with credit? |
What is credit card theft/fraud?
Credit Card Theft is the taking or obtaining of credit
card(s), or credit card number(s), with the intent to use them
fraudulently.
Credit Card Fraud occurs when the credit card, or credit
card number(s), is used fraudulently without the consent of the
cardholder.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If one or more of your credit card accounts has
fraudulent transactions, and you still have the physical credit card in
your possession, than you have likely become the victim of Identity Theft .
Additionally, if the fraudulent purchases were made in another
jurisdiction, then you are likely the victim of Identity Theft.
Visit our Identity
Theft section to learn more and file a report.
Also, if someone signed a credit card receipt or draft, this constitutes
a separate offense of credit card forgery. Please ensure you keep copies
of any records you have showing fraudulent transactions.
Examples of credit card theft/fraud
- Your wallet is lost or stolen and purchases are made on your credit card without your consent.
- An unauthorized purchase appears on your credit card statement from an online retailer.
What is not credit card
theft/fraud?
Examples:
- If you give someone your credit card and they charge more than you authorized, this may not be a crime. Many credit card user agreements explain that when you authorize someone to use your card, they become an "authorized user."
- If you inadvertently enter into an agreement with a company and they charge your credit card monthly, you have a civil matter with that company. No crime has been committed if you failed to read the small print.
Who can investigate credit card theft/fraud?
Credit Card theft/fraud has several jurisdictional issues that may cause
your case to be redirected to another jurisdiction. As a rule of thumb, a
report should be filed where your credit cards were lost or stolen, and
where they were fraudulently used.
If you are a Fairfax County resident and your credit cards were used
fraudulently, file a
report and we will provide you with more information.
What should I do if I am a victim of credit card theft/fraud?
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Cancel your accounts right away. Call your financial institutions and
ask to speak with a fraud specialist. Make sure you document the
details of your phone call, and obtain their contact information.
Follow up with them in writing by filing an affidavit of fraud (usually
provided by them).
- Make sure you send all information in a certified letter to the financial institution. How to send a certified letter.
- Make sure to request in your letter that the company notifies you in writing when they have resolved your needs.
- File a police report with the correct jurisdiction.
- Contact the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies and place a Fraud Alert on your credit report. Once you place a fraud alert, creditors are required to verify the identity of a person claiming to be you, before extending credit to them.
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Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 http://www.equifax.com P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 |
Experian: 1-888-397-3742 http://www.experian.com P.O. Box 9532 Allen, TX 75013 |
Review your credit reports regularly. The Fair and Accurate Credit
Transactions Act (FACT Act) requires the three major credit bureaus to
provide you with one free credit report a year. The three major consumer
credit reporting companies created www.annualcreditreport.com
to provide consumers with free credit reports from all three
companies.
How can I protect myself from becoming a victim of credit card theft/fraud?
- Sign your credit card with permanent marker.
- Maintain possession of your credit cards at all times.
- Check your credit card statements for fraudulent transactions.
- Keep credit card numbers and records in a safe place.
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When making purchases online, only use trusted, reputable sites. If it
sounds "too good to be true" than it probably is.
Where can I find additional information and resources?
The three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies listed above
have a lot of good information on how to protect yourself. Visit their
websites and talk to representatives of your financial
institutions.
Code of Virginia - Laws related to Credit Card crimes
Credit Card Theft.
Credit Card Fraud.
Credit Card Forgery.
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