EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE

Quick response guides for common digital emergencies

1 Contain / 2 Recover / 3 Prevent

1 Contain

Stop the damage immediately

  1. Call your bank’s fraud hotline immediately. Most are 24/7 (see Key Contacts below). Report exactly which charges are unauthorized.
  2. Freeze or cancel affected cards. The bank will block the card number and issue a replacement. If your account number was compromised, ask about opening a new account.
  3. Change your online banking password and enable 2FA. Do this from a device you trust, not the one that may have been compromised.
  4. Check all other financial accounts for suspicious activity. Fraud often hits more than one account. Check every bank, credit card, and payment app.
  5. Document everything. Write down dates, fraudulent amounts, case/reference numbers, and the names of every rep you speak with.

2 Recover

Get back to normal

  1. Complete the bank’s fraud dispute forms or affidavit. Provisional credit is typically issued within 10 business days while they investigate.
  2. Update recurring payments and direct deposits with your new card or account numbers. Don’t forget subscriptions, autopay bills, and payroll.
  3. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports as a precaution, especially if your account info or SSN was exposed. A fraud alert is free and lasts one year.
  4. Report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov if the fraud was part of an internet scam, wire fraud, or account takeover.
  5. Set up transaction alerts and login notifications. Enable text or email alerts for all charges so you catch any future unauthorized activity within seconds.
  6. Follow up after the investigation period. Confirm all fraudulent charges were reversed and you have written documentation of the resolution.

3 Prevent

Stop it from happening again

  • Figure out how it happened: skimmed card, phishing email/call, data breach, or compromised online banking. Knowing the cause prevents a repeat.
  • Use credit cards over debit for purchases. Credit cards have stronger fraud protections and don’t directly impact your bank balance during disputes.
  • Inspect card readers at ATMs and gas pumps for skimming devices before inserting your card.
  • Never share passwords, PINs, or verification codes with callers. Your bank will never ask for these. Hang up and call the number on your card.
  • Set up real-time transaction alerts for all charges, no matter how small.
  • Use virtual card numbers for online shopping if your bank offers them. This limits exposure of your real card number.
  • Monitor financial statements monthly for charges you don’t recognize.

Key Contacts

Major Bank Fraud Hotlines

  • Bank of America: 800-432-1000 (24/7) | Credit cards: 800-421-2110
  • Chase: 800-935-9935 | Credit cards: 800-955-9060
  • Wells Fargo: 800-869-3557 (24/7) | Credit cards: 800-642-4720
  • Citibank: 800-374-9700 (24/7) | Credit cards: 800-950-5114
  • Capital One: 800-427-9428 | Debit cards: 800-655-2265

If your bank isn’t listed, call the number on the back of your card.

Reporting

Outside the United States? View international reporting resources

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