My credit card company just called, asked me about a potentially unauthorized charge to my account?

Question

US Bank.

I verified that it was unauthorized.

Question: do banks call proactively like that?

This is a first for me. Plus, I checked the internet account, and the charge wasn't reflected there.

I always assumed that you had to check your transactions yourself for suspicious activity.

ps: I gave them no personal details like account number or anything like that. They just told me they would cancel the card and send a new one.

Answer 1

My company has called about suspicious activity (it was legit but I appreciated it). I would be concerned if anyone asked for account or personal information over the phone. You can call the 800 number for your credit company and ask directly for the fraud department to verify it's really them calling (which is what I did as I'm paranoid.)

Answer 2

Yes, there are many banks who have a fraud dept now who will call you if there are any pending transactions which are not typical to you, or if you have never used the card and suddenly there is a lot of activity...or if there is activity from a different location than you......they are trying to protect themselves just as much as you; they have to cover any fraudulent charges. The charges probably were pending and did not yet show up online. You do have to be careful about people calling about your accounts, you were correct to not give out any personal information. You can always verify with customer service if a new card indeed is being sent.

Answer 3

If they asked for no personal information, then yes, the call was most likely legitimate.

More CC companies need to do that.

I have had this happen myself around Christmas or because I don't travel often, if they suddenly see a spree of charges let's say, from Texas....then at about the 3rd merchant I hit, my card prompts the salesperson to call them...and they ask for my ID to verify it's me.

This is for your protection.

PS: The charge most likely happened over the internet...this is WAY easier for theives to do....they have packages shipped to an address where no one lives near where they are, pick it up, and return it to a store or sell it. Someone associated with somewhere you used the card probably stole the number.

Answer 4

The first thing you should do is go back and check your receipts to make sure you really didn't make the charge in question. If you're sure that you didn't and you have a relationship with the retailer, give them a quick call. Chances are it was an honest mistake and the charge will be removed quickly. If, however, you're unfamiliar with the retailer, call your credit card company because the chances are greater that fraud is to blame.

Answer 5

Yes, if you plan to do something unusual like traveling and using your card a lot when you never go places or charge much they will freeze your credit. Fraud cost them a fortune you only pay the first $50 so you can see they want to prevent it. Write before traveling to let them know you will have unusual spending so they don't freeze the accounts and take several cards with you in case they didn't get the letter.

Answer 6

The same thing just haooened to me with my Discover card. The card company's have fraud departments and they watch for certain things. Like someone had used my card number 7 times at a Walmart in a different state. So they froze the card and called me to check it out. Thank goodness!

Answer 7

Mine has called me several times to verify a charge, one was unauthorized the others were mine.

Answer 8

You should be grateful that they asked. It's no reflection on you. My credit union does that. For more information about identity theft go to www.1-800BadCredit.com/identity-theft.html

Answer 9

Yes, they do. I have been called several times when I have made a large purchase.

Answer 10

dont look a gift horse in the mouth. count your blessings.