Fraudulent Charge

Definition

An unauthorized or suspicious charge on your account, often the result of theft or error. It’s important to report these quickly to your bank or card issuer.

What to consider

Spot any unfamiliar charges on your statement as soon as possible.
Report them immediately to your bank for a quick fix.
Regular monitoring can help prevent further issues.

Real world scenarios

Emma notices a gym membership in another state on her credit card statement. She reports it immediately, and the bank issues a refund while investigating.
Noah’s debit card info is stolen online. He spots multiple small fraudulent charges and calls his bank to freeze the account instantly.
Carol sets transaction alerts on her phone, so she catches any questionable charges as soon as they appear, minimizing damage.