TL;DR: Check the exact date, amount, and merchant name on the unfamiliar charge — sometimes charges appear under a different name than the store you recognize, so it's worth a quick search before assuming it's fraud.
How to Dispute a Fraudulent Credit Card Charge — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Review your statement and identify the charge
Check the exact date, amount, and merchant name on the unfamiliar charge — sometimes charges appear under a different name than the store you recognize, so it's worth a quick search before assuming it's fraud.
Step 2: Contact your card issuer immediately
Call the number on the back of your card or use your issuer's app to report the charge as unauthorized as soon as you spot it — acting quickly limits your liability and speeds up the investigation.
Step 3: Know your protections
In the US, the Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges, and most major card networks also offer zero-liability policies on top of that for fraudulent transactions.
Step 4: Follow up in writing if requested
Your issuer may ask you to confirm the dispute in writing or through their online dispute form — do this promptly, since dispute rights are generally tied to specific response windows.
Step 5: Monitor your account until it's resolved
Keep checking your statement for the credit to post and watch for any other unfamiliar charges while the investigation is underway.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to File a Police Report for Identity Theft.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Freeze a Child's Credit File.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Review your statement and identify the charge
Check the exact date, amount, and merchant name on the unfamiliar charge — sometimes charges appear under a different name than the store you recognize, so it's worth a quick search before assuming it's fraud.
Step 2: Contact your card issuer immediately
Call the number on the back of your card or use your issuer's app to report the charge as unauthorized as soon as you spot it — acting quickly limits your liability and speeds up the investigation.
Step 3: Know your protections
In the US, the Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges, and most major card networks also offer zero-liability policies on top of that for fraudulent transactions.
Step 4: Follow up in writing if requested
Your issuer may ask you to confirm the dispute in writing or through their online dispute form — do this promptly, since dispute rights are generally tied to specific response windows.
Step 5: Monitor your account until it's resolved
Keep checking your statement for the credit to post and watch for any other unfamiliar charges while the investigation is underway.