A woman who discovered approximately $300 in credit card purchases she hadn’t authorized told deputies she believed her own daughter was responsible.
Lawrence County deputies investigated the complaint in the Willow Wood area after the woman reported that her daughter had used a Capital One credit card without permission.
According to the sheriff’s report, the woman said she had been contacted by the credit card company about suspicious purchases. She told deputies she believed her daughter had made the charges and wanted to file a report.
The purchases totaled approximately $300.
The woman said she had already contacted Capital One to cancel the card because of the unauthorized activity.
Deputies explained that the case would be documented and advised her about the process for pursuing charges.
The report does not indicate that the daughter was arrested or charged, and it does not establish who actually made the purchases.
What to Do If Someone Uses Your Credit Card
Unauthorized credit card charges can be especially upsetting when the suspected person is a relative or someone who has had access to your belongings.
Regardless of who you suspect, the first step is to contact your credit card company immediately. Ask the issuer to block further unauthorized purchases, replace the card if necessary and open a formal dispute over charges you didn’t approve.
Under federal law, consumers generally have important protections against unauthorized credit card use. Liability for unauthorized charges is typically limited to $50, and many card issuers offer zero-liability protections.
It’s also a good idea to:
- Turn on transaction alerts. Many card companies can notify you every time your card is used.
- Check statements regularly. Small unfamiliar purchases can be an early warning sign.
- Change account passwords if someone else may have access to your online banking or credit card account.
- Remove saved payment information from devices or shopping accounts that other people can access.
- Keep records of disputed transactions and communications with the card issuer.
If a family member has been permitted to use a card in the past, be especially clear about when that permission ends. Disputes involving previously authorized access can be more complicated than straightforward cases of a stolen card.
The Federal Trade Commission also recommends reporting suspected identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, where consumers can get a personalized recovery plan.