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Credit Card Fraud

Get answers if fraud ever happens to your Discover account.

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I see a transaction I don't recognize. What should I do?

First, check with any secondary cardmember or authorized user who might share your account, to see if they recognize the transaction. To help you identify a charge, you can also view more details online by clicking on the transaction in your Account Activity section.

If you suspect that a transaction is fraudulent, please call us right away at 1-866-240-7938. Or, you can contact Customer Service online or initiate a dispute.

 

Am I responsible for a purchase I didn't make?

No. All Discover Cardmembers are protected with our $0 Fraud Liability Guarantee, which means you're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card. If you spot a purchase you don't recognize, please contact us immediately.

 

How does fraud occur?

Credit card fraud happens several different ways, most commonly with your card information being compromised in a data breach or your physical card being stolen. Once your card information is used by unauthorized individual, it's considered fraud.

Credit card fraud is a serious crime that is punishable by law. We frequently work with local, state and federal authorities to help bring these criminals to justice.

 

How does Discover handle fraud?

If fraud is suspected, we immediately close your account to prevent any further unauthorized use, and a member of our U.S.-based Fraud Team will open an investigation into the questionable transactions on your account. We'll also send a replacement card with new account information and credit your account for the amount of the questionable transaction(s). All unauthorized transactions will be removed from your account pending the outcome of the investigation.

 

If my card is being replaced because of fraud, can I still use it until the new one arrives?

No. For your protection, we deactivate your card immediately. You should receive a replacement card with new account information after you've spoken to a Fraud Specialist.

 

Why do I still see the questionable transaction(s) on my statement after it's been removed?

We don't remove the questionable transaction(s)—we refund it back to your account in the form of a statement credit. Your credit(s) might not appear until the following month's statement if your statement cycle date had already passed. Please allow one full billing cycle for your credit to appear on your statement, and up to 5 days for your credit to appear on your "Recent Activity" in your Discover.com account.

If you're unsure whether a transaction was refunded, you can also contact your Fraud Specialist.

 

I have a pending fraud investigation—how long will it take?

A fraud investigation can take up to 90 days and we'll notify you once it's complete. In the meantime, we might contact you for additional information if needed.

 

How do I contact a Fraud Specialist?

If you see a transaction on your account you don't recognize, please call us right away at 1-866-240-7938.

For questions related to an open fraud investigation, please call 1-800-347-7466 to speak with a member of our Fraud Team.

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