Credit card safety: How to check statements
Checking your credit card statement is quite easy and if you do it on a regular basis, you could be protecting yourself for any potential fraud. There are three ways in which you can check your statements. Here are instructions for each:
PAPER STATEMENTS
You should receive a paper statement for your credit card each month, unless you have opted for online statements. If you notice that you have not received your statement within a month, call the customer service number that is on the back of your credit card. Upon receiving your statement open it. Check the balance of how much you spent and how much is available. Is it consistent according to your purchases? Check the finance charges. Do they make sense according to your interest rate and the payments you've made? Lastly, go through every single purchase and highlight any purchases that you don't recall making. If you see any of these, immediately call the number on the back of your credit card to file a dispute to have their fraud investigators work on your case.
ONLINE STATEMENTS
You can also view your statement online. Usually, the Web site that you need to register with is on your paper bill. If not, you can call the number on the back of your credit card to see what site to go to. Believe it or not, there are still some credit card companies that do not allow you to have an online account, so you may not be able to check your statement online. But if you are, you will need to register your name and information and provide your credit card information. If everything turns out to be correct, you will be able to log in to your account and check your statement immediately. Go through your statement as you would with a regular paper statement, and write down any suspicious charges. Then call or email the credit card's customer service to dispute the charges.
PHONE
Yes, you can check your statement via phone. You will receive the information via an automated system or a customer service rep depending on the company. Have them list all the charges for this month and flag any that you think are suspicious. Then, the customer service rep will fill a dispute for you, or you will be transferred to their fraud investigation department.
Whichever method you choose, please be sure to check your credit card statements on a regular basis. Millions of people become victims of credit fraud simply because they do not check their statements. Ensure your protection against credit card fraud and keep record of your balances. That way you will be aware of what is going on with your credit accounts.
PAPER STATEMENTS
You should receive a paper statement for your credit card each month, unless you have opted for online statements. If you notice that you have not received your statement within a month, call the customer service number that is on the back of your credit card. Upon receiving your statement open it. Check the balance of how much you spent and how much is available. Is it consistent according to your purchases? Check the finance charges. Do they make sense according to your interest rate and the payments you've made? Lastly, go through every single purchase and highlight any purchases that you don't recall making. If you see any of these, immediately call the number on the back of your credit card to file a dispute to have their fraud investigators work on your case.
ONLINE STATEMENTS
You can also view your statement online. Usually, the Web site that you need to register with is on your paper bill. If not, you can call the number on the back of your credit card to see what site to go to. Believe it or not, there are still some credit card companies that do not allow you to have an online account, so you may not be able to check your statement online. But if you are, you will need to register your name and information and provide your credit card information. If everything turns out to be correct, you will be able to log in to your account and check your statement immediately. Go through your statement as you would with a regular paper statement, and write down any suspicious charges. Then call or email the credit card's customer service to dispute the charges.
PHONE
Yes, you can check your statement via phone. You will receive the information via an automated system or a customer service rep depending on the company. Have them list all the charges for this month and flag any that you think are suspicious. Then, the customer service rep will fill a dispute for you, or you will be transferred to their fraud investigation department.
Whichever method you choose, please be sure to check your credit card statements on a regular basis. Millions of people become victims of credit fraud simply because they do not check their statements. Ensure your protection against credit card fraud and keep record of your balances. That way you will be aware of what is going on with your credit accounts.
