Investigating Unauthorized Debit Card Charges: A Step-by-Step Guide

Find out who charged your debit card.

Debit cards are similar to credit cards, only linked to your checking account. Sometimes, you might see a debit card transaction that you don't recognize on your statement or a pending charge on your account with little information. You can rest assured knowing that anyone who can process a debit card charge must have a merchant account, which is linked to personally identifiable information about the account holder. Banks make it fairly easy to find out exactly who charged your debit card. You also have fraud protection, just like a credit card account.

Step 1

Log into your online bank servicing account to get basic information about the transactions, even if you don't see the company or person's name yet. Gather the date and amount of each transaction that you need to question.

Step 2

Call your bank's 800 number and select the option to speak with a representative. Ask for full details about the debit card transaction. Give the amount and date that it hit your account. You will receive the company name, transaction ID and phone number. You can receive the details verbally or ask the representative to fax or mail the information to you so that you'll have written proof.

Step 3

Call the phone number number of the company or person who charged your debit card immediately if you still do not recognize the transaction. Ask for a refund if it is unauthorized. If the company refuses, call back your bank and initiate a fraud investigation.

Tip

If your debit card has been stolen or you suspect that someone may have used your card without your knowledge, find out the retailer or bank branch where the charge was processed per the instructions mentioned, then call the location's security office. Ask if you can get surveillance footage of the date and time that the transaction was performed. You may have to get a police report and subpoena from the retail location's county courthouse to access the tape.