Once you notify your card issuer, they will initiate an investigation. Your card issuer will also contact merchants and reverse any fraudulent charges. You are not responsible for any charges that occur once you report the fraud. [2] X Research source Federal law states that if you are unable to report a lost or stolen card before it is used, you can only be held liable for up to $50 of fraudulent charges.
Sign and date the form in the presence of a law enforcement officer or a notary. [6] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source The affidavit will ask for personal information, such as your name, address and Social Security number. You will be asked to report information about the fraud, such as the name of the person who used your credit card (if you know it) and any other information you know about the crime.
You do not have to pay any fees to file a police report. You will need your credit card fraud affidavit. Use the one provided by your card issuer or the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit. Have a government-issued photo identification with you, such as a driver’s license. Bring proof of your address, such as a copy of your mortgage statement or a utilities bill. Submit proof of the theft, such as credit card statements or IRS notices.
Visit Equifax Credit Report Assistance, or call 1-888-766-0008. Go to the Experian Fraud Center, or call 1-888-397-3742. Go to the TransUnion Fraud Alert page, or call 1-800-680-7289. The credit reporting agencies will send you a letter to verify that the fraud alert has been placed on your file. Placing a fraud alert is free. It remains on your file for 90 days. A fraud alert protects you because it requires businesses to contact you before issuing credit in your name. [9] X Trustworthy Source Federal Trade Commission Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson Go to source
You can also get a free credit report once per year from annualcreditreport. com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. If you have already received your free credit report, you can pay any of the credit reporting agencies to receive an immediate copy of your credit report. [10] X Research source