Some scams are harder to detect than others, and sometimes even the most cautious individuals can find themselves in situations where a thief has obtained their credit card information. If this happens to you, there are certain steps you should take to reduce the damage the thief can cause with that information and increase the chances of that person getting caught.
- Call your credit card company and report the crime. This allows the company to freeze your account and prevent the thief from causing any more damage than what has already been done. It also limits your liability since you acted quickly. The company may ask for a copy of the police report regarding the theft. Tell the company that will be your next call.
- Call the local police to report the crime. Catching a scammer, especially if the individual is outside the United States, can be incredibly difficult if not impossible depending on the criminal’s base of operations. Without the details of your report, however, there is no chance to find the scoundrel who ripped you off. Do your part to help catch the thief by reporting the crime. The act of reporting the crime also verifies the criminal activity with your credit card issuer.
- Call the big three credit reporting agencies to report the fraud. Here is their contact information:
Equifax
Phone: 888-766-0008
Website: http://www.equifax.com/CreditReportAssistance/
Experian
Phone: 888-397-3742
Website: https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html
TransUnion
Phone: 800-680-7289
Website: http://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resource/place-fraud-alert
Reporting fraud to the three agencies will help avoid damage to your credit rating. You might also consider placing a freeze on your credit if the criminal obtained personal information that might be used to open up credit accounts in your name. Agencies normally charge for this service, but they might wave the fee if you state you’ve been a victim of a crime and have the police report to back up your claim.
- Start a file folder and keep everything you receive regarding the incident inside. Make a detailed note that explains how the scammer ripped you off. This will help prevent the details of your encounter with the criminal from getting lost. The note could come in handy later for prosecuting the scumbag or for sharing your story with others to help them avoid the same scam. Also, write down who you spoke with, when you spoke with them, and what you discussed regarding this incident. That includes the credit card company, police, and credit reporting agencies. It will help create a solid timeline of events should you ever need the information in court.
Getting scammed is never an easy thing to accept. If it happens to you and you unwittingly hand a scammer your credit card information, take action immediately by following the steps above. Failure to act quickly could place the burden of the theft squarely on your shoulders and make you responsible for paying any charges the criminal makes with your credit card.