Banking
What to Do If Your Credit Card Is Used Fraudulently in Canada
Spotted charges you didn’t make? Call your card issuer right away, then report the fraud. Your liability is capped by law at $50, and the major networks say you won’t pay anything for unauthorized charges.
What should I do first?
Call your card issuer using the number on the back of the card or in its app. Report the transactions you don’t recognize, ask them to block the card, issue a new one and investigate the charges. Freezing the card in the app can stop more charges while you call.
Will I have to pay for fraudulent charges?
Your maximum liability for unauthorized transactions on a credit card is $50 by law, and Visa, Mastercard and American Express have committed not to hold you responsible or charge fees for unauthorized transactions.
These protections can depend on you taking reasonable care, for example not sharing your PIN, and reporting problems promptly. Check your cardholder agreement.
Where do I report credit card fraud?
Contact your local police, and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or at 1-888-495-8501 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4:45 pm Eastern). Keep a record of the report numbers.
What else should I do afterwards?
Update automatic payments with your new card number, check your other accounts for unusual activity, change passwords if the fraud followed a phishing email or a data breach, and get your Equifax and TransUnion reports to check for new accounts you didn’t open.
How can I prevent credit card fraud?
Turn on transaction alerts in your card’s app, never give your card details or one-time codes to someone who contacts you, shop on secure sites, and review your statements every month.
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Official sources and further reading
- FCAC: using your credit card, your rights and responsibilities ↗
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: report fraud ↗
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