Discover Card Help Center

Data Breaches

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If my card is being replaced because of a data breach, can I still use it?

Yes, until your new one arrives. You can use your current card with confidence knowing that you're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card. Then once your new card arrives, activate and sign it right away to avoid any interruption once we deactivate your compromised card.

Do I have account monitoring?

Yes. Our active system monitoring scans every purchase, every day for suspicious activity. We're always evaluating your transactions for any signs of fraud based on your regular credit habits and other factors.

Also, be sure to sign up for Fraud Alerts if you haven't already, so we can reach you quickly via a text message or e-mail if we spot anything unusual.

How do data breaches occur?

A data breach happens when sensitive data (like credit card information) is compromised, which means it has the potential to be seen, stolen or used by an unauthorized individual. Oftentimes, it's the result of criminals that gain access to a merchant's restricted computer networks.

Is there a difference between a data breach and credit card fraud?

Yes. A data breach doesn't necessarily mean your card information was accessed—only that the possibility exists. However, fraud occurs when your physical card, or your card's information has been stolen and/or duplicated to make unauthorized purchases on your account. It is a crime that's punishable by law.

If I think my card was part of a data breach, what do I do?

If you've heard about a data breach in the news and you're concerned, we encourage you to review your statements on a regular basis for any transactions you don't recognize.

Please know we also work to identify which accounts were potentially involved and we'll evaluate any risk to your account. We might also send you a new card with new information as a security precaution.

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

First, be sure to check with any other person using your account, like a secondary cardmember or authorized user. If you still don't recognize the transaction(s), please call 1-866-240-7938 immediately to speak with a U.S.-based Fraud Specialist.

Am I responsible for unauthorized purchases?

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 check with any secondary cardmember or authorized user. If the charge is not recognized, please call 1-866-240-7938 immediately.

Should I change how or where I use my card?

Understandably, the increase in data breaches has left people wondering if they can do anything to prevent another one from happening to them. Since the future isn't easy to predict, it's best to use your card the same way you do today—because you're never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card.

What can I do to help keep my account safe?

We encourage you to sign up for Fraud Alerts online or with our mobile app—to help us reach you as quickly as possible if we spot unusual activity. And while we're always monitoring your account, it's also a good idea to get in the habit of checking your statements regularly to stay on top of your transactions. If you ever see a purchase you don't recognize, please contact us.

Why did I receive an alert asking if I authorize a transaction?

If we detect an unusual transaction, we might send an e-mail, text message or phone call asking you to confirm that the purchase was made by you or someone authorized to use your account. For security purposes, we might decline a transaction upfront, and authorize it once you have verified that the transaction is OK. If a transaction is ever declined, please call us right away at 1-800-347-4996.

To avoid any inconvenience at checkout, make sure you're signed up for Fraud Alerts so you can verify transactions real-time.

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