Hello everyone! My name is Brenda Butnick and I’m a Financial Coach at Jewish Family Service in Dallas. I work one-on-one with clients to help them achieve financial self-sufficiency.

We discussed the first 3 Steps on How to Investigate Mystery Credit Card Charges in my last blog and today we will discuss the last 2 Steps.

“Mystery” credit card charges usually refer to charges on your statement that you don’t immediately recognize. 

How to Investigate a Mystery Charge

Step 4: Review Past Authorizations

If it looks like a small or odd amount, it could be a preauthorization or a fraud test.

Step 5: Contact the Merchant

If you identify the merchant, reach out—billing errors happen more than you’d think.

When to Contact Your Bank Immediately

You should call the card issuer right away if:

• You see multiple unrecognized charges

• The charge looks suspicious (odd times, places, or amounts)

• The merchant information looks fake

• You suspect identity theft

• You find a recurring subscription you did not authorize

Banks will typically:

• Freeze or replace your card

• Start a chargeback/dispute

• Reimburse fraudulent charges

We will discuss How to Prevent Mystery Credit Card Charges in my next post on Friday, April 10th.

That’s all for your Financial Fitness today! 

Until next time – take care and stay financially fit!