close navigationX
    • opens in a new windowHome
    • opens in a new windowSign in opens in a new windowSign in
    • Overview same page link to Overview section
    • Financial health same page link to Financial health section
    • Card benefits same page link to Card benefits section
  • CONNECT WITH CHASE
    • opens in a new windowContact us
    • opens in a new windowGive feedback
  • opens in a new windowAbout Chase
  • opens in a new windowJ.P. Morgan
  • opens in a new windowJPMorgan Chase & Co.
  • opens in a new windowMedia Center
  • opens in a new windowCareers
  • opens in a new windowChase Canada
  • opens in a new windowSAFE Act: Chase Mortgage Loan Originators
  • opens in a new windowFair Lending
Show the Side Menu Menu icon
Chase logo
Chase Octagon Symbol Chase Octagon Symbol
updates page content Overview
updates page content Financial health
updates page content Card benefits
< opens in the same window Back
Girl shopping in store with credit card Girl shopping in store with credit card

How to Halt Credit Card Fraud this Holiday Season

By Kelsey Mulvey | Posted: 11/5/2018



The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year—but also one of the most expensive. According to retail publication Industry Insider, consumers spent about $674.5 billion on the holidays last year—and that's not counting travel.

What's more, many people spend money in ways that are out of character with their habits. Think about it: whether you're buying a bracelet for your mom or concert tickets for your nephew, chances are that your holiday gift list is taking you into stores that you normally wouldn't visit, where you're spending far more money than usual. Unfortunately, that string of atypical transactions can make your opens in a new windowcredit cards vulnerable to fraudulent charges.

"It's easy to get distracted on the checkout line or not have time to check your credit card activity as frequently as you normally would," explains BJ Mahoney, General Manager, Chase Card Services. "Cards are out of wallets and purses more often and card numbers are exposed more than usual."

Here are four ways to protect yourself from credit card fraud this holiday season—and the one thing to do if you find out that your account has been compromised.

1. Trust the tech

Chances are your bank is already using cutting edge technology to keep you and your finances safe. A growing number of banks are implementing cutting-edge authentication tools that are far more secure than passcodes. "We began using voice biometrics to authenticate customers in our phone centers," Mahoney says. Tools like voice recognition, facial recognition and fingerprint authentication are becoming more common and easier to use.

Mahoney also notes that banks have used artificial intelligence for years to help identify out-of-pattern credit card usage. By comparing a purchase against a customer's prior card usage, AI can calculate the probability that a card has been stolen or hacked—providing early warning of possible fraud.

2. Lock it up

Imagine you've lost your credit card in a busy department store. You don't want to cancel it—you still need it to buy presents, after all—but you also don't want to take a chance that a thief is using it. What can you do?

A growing number of banks allow users to temporarily pause any new transactions. If you're a Chase cardholder, you simply log on to Chase's website or app to instantly block new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers. Once you've found your card, you can log back on and unlock your account. Of course, if your credit has been stolen or permanently lost, you'll need to call your bank and report it missing.

3. Stay notified

If you haven't already signed up for bank notifications, now is the time to do so. "We use phone, text, and email to alert customers when we want to verify recent activity," explains Mahoney. These early notifications can alert users to suspicious activity—or ensure that an unusual holiday purchase isn't evidence of a card breach.

With most banks, setting up notifications is easy: simply log in to your account online or through your mobile app and add your preferred method of communication.

4. Check your accounts

Though AI can detect big, suspicious charges, your bank may not detect smaller, more nuanced inaccuracies. For that reason, it's important to manually review your transactions, too.

"It's important to always be diligent about monitoring your credit card activity, not just during the holiday season," Mahoney says. "Once it becomes a habit, you won't have to think twice about making holiday purchases." When it comes to security, few things are better than checking your bank account every morning—especially during high-transaction periods, like the holidays.

Your card has fraudulent charges... now what?

Even when you're extra careful, credit card fraud still happens. If you think you've been compromised, speak with your bank immediately. While you're at it, ask your bank about its liability protection program. Many banks offer opens in a new windowzero liability protection, which means you won't be responsible for any unauthorized purchases.

It's impossible to completely protect against fraud, but account notifications, increased security, and other tools can help you insure that, even when the worst happens, you're still protected. And, with quick bank responses and safety options like card lock, you'll be in a great position to resolve your problem—and return to the holiday fun!





< opens in the same window Back

Related tips, tools, and news

Mom and daughter holding sparkler Mom and daughter holding sparkler
opens in same window

4 Steps for Making Your Financial Resolutions Come True

Colorful holiday wreath Colorful holiday wreath
opens in same window

Fun Gifts to Match Your Holiday Gifting Style

Man looking at cell phone Man looking at cell phone
opens in same window

Six Ways to Boost Your Fraud IQ

Follow us:
  • opens overlay links to Chase's Facebook page
  • opens overlay links to Chase's Instagram page y
  • opens overlay links to Chase's Twitter page
  • opens overlay links to Chase's YouTube page
  • opens overlay links to Chase's LinkedIn page
  • opens overlay links to Chase's Pinterest page
opens in a new window Chase.com opens in a new window Site Terms & Conditions opens in a new window Privacy Notice opens in the same window Site Map opens overlay, links to Chase's Facebook page Visit us on Facebook

© JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved.

WEB50472

Begin external link overlay.
You’re Now Leaving Chase
Chase's website and/or mobile terms, privacy and security policies don’t apply to the site or app you're about to visit. Please review its terms, privacy and security policies to see how they apply to you. Chase isn’t responsible for (and doesn’t provide) any products, services or content at this third-party site or app, except for products and services that explicitly carry the Chase name.
close overlay Cancel
opens in a new window Proceed
End external link overlay.