Spotting credit card fraud

You have to know someone is using your credit card before you can halt fraudulent transactions. That discovery can happen in different ways. Perhaps you notice your card is missing from your wallet, and you see a funny charge on your statement. Or you still have your card, but suspicious transactions start showing up on your credit card bill.

"Or you might get a call from your lender before you're aware of the fact that it's happened," says Rod Griffin, director of public education at Experian. "Credit card companies are very good at recognizing patterns indicating that fraud may have happened."

Some banks will send automatic alerts to your cellphone via text or email if they notice a peculiar purchase, and you may be able to customize some transaction alerts as well. It's always a good idea to review your credit card transactions online regularly to catch suspicious activity.