What should I do if I suspect a fraudulent charge on my account?

If you suspect a fraudulent charge on your credit card account, it is important to act quickly to minimize any potential damage. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Contact your credit card issuer: Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card and report the fraudulent charge. Your issuer will likely cancel your card and issue a new one to prevent any further fraudulent activity.

2. Review your recent transactions: Look at your recent transactions and identify any other charges that you did not make. Make note of these charges and report them to your issuer.

3. Dispute the charge: If the fraudulent charge is still pending, you can dispute it with your issuer. If it has already posted to your account, you will need to dispute it in writing.

4. File a police report: If you believe your card was stolen, it is important to file a police report. This will help protect your credit and may be required by your issuer to dispute the charges.

5. Monitor your credit: Keep an eye on your credit report to ensure that there are no other accounts or charges that you did not authorize. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year.

It's important to act quickly if you suspect fraudulent activity on your credit card account to prevent any further damage to your credit score and financial history.