You get a phone call about your credit card. It’s your credit card issuer, and they’re checking up on your account. Maybe there’s a transaction they want confirmed.

Is it really them, or is it a scam?

It can be hard to tell. Credit card companies do sometimes call when there has been unusual activity on your account. In my experience, this is an automated call rather than a human.

However if you get a call from someone saying they think that there has been fraudulent activity on your account what do you do? Do you give them the information they ask for? Even if it’s that little 3 digit code on the back of your card because they say they want proof you still have the card in your possession?

I wouldn’t recommend it. That little number is the final piece of information scammers need to do online transactions with your credit card at many websites.

If you get a call like this, the best thing you can do is say you will call the company back, look up their phone number either online or on your bill, and call them yourself. Once you have initiated contact, you know you are talking to a legitimate person, and they can tell you whether or not the first call was legitimate.

If it was not, then you know you should be concerned about whether or not someone has gotten your credit card number. Talk to the agent you called about the call you received. They will be able to help you decide what to do about it.

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