Online or e-commerce shopping experience is very convenient except for one thing. Incidents of credit card thefts and misuse have accelarated. Hackers can go to any extent to steal your credit numbers and other valuable data to make online purchases.
Can you track who used your credit card recently, or are there any unrecognised purchases? Yes, it’s possible to check out the IP address, geolocation data, etc., regarding the credit card scam.
Thankfully, banks have improved the security system to safeguard your purchases. Additionally, you can track down suspicious transactions with the help of the bank’s dedicated system.
Let’s see how you can detect credit card fraud and how you can prevent it in the near future.
How Can You Detect a Credit Card Fraud?
Banks usually notify customers via a message or email if there has been a transaction through the credit card. Make sure that you enable such SMS and email notifications to identify credit card fraud. In case you fall victim to a credit card scam, then you should immediately report it to the bank.
Mostly, you have zero liability for fraudulent charges on credit card scams. Additionally, you need to report it quickly. Otherwise, you might be declared accountable for the total cost. Furthermore, your bank will issue you a new credit card and a refund sometimes.
Moreover, you can seek bank interference to investigate who used your credit card information to make the fraudulent transaction. The bank will proceed with the investigation according to the guidelines and find out the responsible IP address. The transaction will be considered a scam if the buyer’s IP address doesn’t match the cardholder’s IP address.
How does the Credit Card Fraud Inspection Work?
Only after you report a credit card dispute your bank or card issuer will take the necessary steps to investigate the incident. Someone used your credit card fraudulently, and you might wish to reveal them. Is it possible? Well, your card issuer or bank has to step forward to look into the matter. Otherwise, you can’t track them on your own.
In addition, your bank can track down the buyer’s IP address, geological data, behavioural indicators, transaction history with timestamps, etc., to make sure that it wasn’t you. Here’s what a credit card scam investigation procedure looks like:
Reporting the Fraudulent Transaction
Have you received an SMS that you have used your credit card, but actually you haven’t? Chances are that frauds have accessed your credit card and used it illegally for a transaction. Ensure that you report this incident to your credit card issuer or the bank first. Mention that you didn’t authorise the transaction.
Bank Collecting Proof
As soon as the bank receives a credit card fraud complaint, it starts collecting data from its built-in sophisticated system. For example, the bank can use the following information to identify if it was a real credit card fraud:
Geological Data
The bank confirms the place where the buyer used the credit card. The bank might withdraw the complaint in case the transaction location matches the cardholder’s location.
IP Address
In addition, the bank checked the transaction IP address to clarify if someone used my credit card online. The transaction is more likely to be fraudulent if the IP address doesn’t match any of the possible cardholder’s IP addresses.
Timestamps
Next, the bank examines the transaction timestamp. If the timestamp appears to be sceptical compared to the cardholder’s normal timestamp patterns, then the transaction can possibly be crooked.
Recent Account Activities
The credit card company or bank will also inspect if there’s a single suspicious transaction or a batch of them. Then, the bank will report the case to the corresponding law enforcement authority if there has been more than one fraudulent transaction.
Purchase Instinct
On the other hand, the bank will examine the purchase to find out if the cardholder buys them frequently or not. The bank might declare the transaction fraudulent if those purchased goods are unusual from what the cardholder mostly buys.
3-D Secure
A transaction through a credit card doesn’t get easily approved. The cardholder has to confirm the purchase or the use of the credit card, especially when it’s a MasterCard or similar product. Therefore, the bank will make sure whether the transaction got verified by you.
Can you track someone who used your credit card online? No, you can’t, but the bank will investigate the entire transaction with the collected information. The authority will find out whether it’s reasonable enough so that it can lodge a further step in the investigation process.
Bank Decides What’s Next
The bank has the right to dismiss your complaint if you approve the transaction by any means. For example, you handed over any type of credit card information to the fraud. Otherwise, the bank will conclude that the transaction was legitimately fraudulent.
In addition, the bank will tell you to get in touch with credit bureaus and tell them to freeze your account. This will secure your credit card from being used further. Now, the credit card issuer may offer you the given 2 choices as per your situation:
Option 1
They might declare the merchant partially responsible for the fraudulent transaction. Hence, they might ask the merchant to refund the money back to your account. The bank, cardholder, and merchant can’t access the money in the dispute as long as the process continues. However, it might take over 3 months for the cardholder to get the money back.
Option 2
Otherwise, the credit card issuer will bear the loss on their own and reimburse you the money. Well, the credit card company does this when the disputed money is smaller than the cost of filing a chargeback to the merchant. Remember, you might be charged $50. Additionally, the bank might decide to share the overall loss with you.
Bank Reporting the Case to Law Enforcement Authorities
What happens if someone used my credit card online? Well, the merchant can be blamed fully for an online transaction. Therefore, the bank may forward the case to law enforcement officers. Then, the police will inspect the transaction and collect evidence to identify the suspect. Then, they will prosecute the fraudster according to the norms.
How to Prevent Online Credit Card Frauds?
Recently, incidents of online credit card fraud are surging because of ignorance and lacking some essential security measures. How does someone steal your credit card details?
You might not have misplaced your credit card, but fraudsters can take advantage of data breaching and card skimming. Then, they can use your credit card information to purchase or make a transaction online.
Hence, you should immediately contact your credit card issuer or bank if you notice any suspicious activity. Moreover, lodge a theft or credit card fraud at the police. Furthermore, you can keep your credit card’s future use safe with the following tips:
1. Use Credit Cards Only on Secure-Certified Websites
Lots of websites might tempt you to purchase what it displays and compel you to transact using a credit card. Before you proceed to checkout, examine if the website has a legit security certificate. Look for https:// in the web address or you can check the trust score of the website using a third-party website.
2. Scan for Viruses and Other Malware on Your Devices
Hackers inject bugs, viruses, and more to confuse you and your devices. And, these might extract your saved credit card details. Hence, you must install reliable antivirus software to restrict such threats. On top of that, schedule automatic scans on that antivirus software. Thus, you can notice if there’s any spyware or virus on your computer, smartphone, tablet, etc.
3. Lock Your Credit Card if Misplaced
Can’t you find the credit card? Use the mobile banking app or website to lock the corresponding credit card. It’s possible to lock your credit card for as many days as you want. However, don’t forget to file a police complaint if you can’t find your credit card.
4. Utilise Multi-Factor Authentication for Mobile Banking Services
How easy is it to steal someone’s credit card info? Well, hackers use evolved technology, and it can fool your mobile banking app and its credentials. Apart from using those login credentials, you can consider using your fingerprint.
Incorporating multifactor authentication can help you protect your credit card. For instance, fraudsters can steal your banking app credentials but it’s hard to get your fingerprint.
5. Avoid Sharing Your Credit Card Details
Never share your credit card PIN with anyone. Additionally, don’t form a PIN that relates to the following data of yours:
- Your name
- Social Security Number
- Your family member’s name
- License numbers
- Consecutive digits
- Date of birth
- Mobile phone number
- Car registration number or similar information
Moreover, don’t assign the same PIN to your credit card as you use for your phone, computer, or any other card.
6. Stay Informed about Such Credit Card Scams
How can someone steal my credit card information? Scammers keep finding new ways to make a fool of you and trick you into sharing your credit card information. Hence, you should be aware of these recent online tactics. Therefore, you won’t fall for them and keep your credit card safe.
7. Monitor Your Credit Card Activities
Possibly, you haven’t got an SMS about a fraudulent transaction. So, you should check your bank statements regularly. Checking your bank statement closely might let you notice any suspicious activity. It’s better to report the activity quickly to the credit card issuer or bank.
8. Practise Safety Measures while Using Credit Cards
Stay alert when you are in a congested place because pickpockets are more common in such shady places. Moreover, use your credit cards only at trusted places. Examine the ATM machine and other devices before you insert the card into them. Don’t forget to cover the keypad when you submit the PIN. Make sure that you destroy your older credit cards.
What Else Can You Do to Protect Your Credit Card?
Anybody can frame you to steal your credit card information. To be on the safe side, keep your mailbox secure. Use a padlock and key to get your mail, posts, credit card documents, etc., safely. In addition, destroy documents related to your credit card and its PIN before tossing them into a trash bin.
Someone used my credit card, can I track them? Yes, you can with the help from the bank. Be quick to report any suspicious activity related to your credit card to the bank. Additionally, practise those above-mentioned measures to keep your credit card safe and sound.
