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credit card or check fraud.
Credit card fraud and check scams remain one of the top 10 most costly cybercrime categories, with the FBI reporting significant losses each year. From card skimming devices at ATMs to fake check schemes that leave victims liable, financial fraud takes many forms. Reporting creates a trail that helps banks, law enforcement, and other victims.
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How credit card and check fraud works — and how to protect yourself
Credit card fraud is so common that an estimated 65% of Americans have experienced it at some point. The Nilson Report estimated global card fraud losses at $33.8 billion in 2023, with the U.S. accounting for the largest share. Meanwhile, check fraud has surged dramatically — FinCEN reported suspicious activity filings related to check fraud nearly doubled between 2021 and 2023, driven by a resurgence of mail theft.
Card fraud typically follows one of several patterns. Card-not-present (CNP) fraud involves using stolen card numbers for online purchases — this is the most common type and accounts for over 70% of all card fraud. Card skimminguses devices installed on ATMs, gas pumps, or point-of-sale terminals to copy card data. Account takeover occurs when criminals gain access to your online banking or card account. And application fraud involves opening new cards in your name using stolen identity information.
The check fraud comeback
Check fraud, once considered a declining crime, has roared back. Criminals steal checks from mailboxes, then use chemicals to "wash" them — removing the payee name and amount while keeping the signature. They rewrite the check for a larger amount to themselves or an accomplice. The "fake check" variant is even simpler: scammers send you a check that appears to clear, you send money back, then the check bounces and you're liable for the full amount. This scheme is used in employment scams, prize scams, and overpayment scams.
Steps to protect yourself
Monitor your statements weekly — don't wait for the monthly bill. Set up transaction alerts with your bank for any purchase over a threshold you choose. Use virtual card numbers for online shopping. At ATMs, check the card reader for anything loose or misaligned. Use chip-enabled terminals rather than swiping. For checks, use a gel pen (harder to wash), drop outgoing checks inside the post office rather than in a street mailbox, and consider switching to electronic payments when possible.
Where else to report
File in multiple places to maximize impact:
- →Your bank / card issuer — call immediately to freeze the card and dispute charges
- →FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov — for consumer protection and fraud pattern tracking
- →FBI IC3 — ic3.gov — for large-scale fraud or organized criminal networks
- →USPS Postal Inspection — uspis.gov — if checks were stolen from your mailbox
Related scam types
Scammers often combine tactics. If this looks familiar, check these too: