If your credit card has been lost or stolen, you might find this information helpful.

If your card is used outside of Pierce Township you must report that information to the police department where the use occurred. Under normal circumstances, we do not investigate offenses that occurred in another city.

What should I do?

If you haven't done so already, call the company who issued your card immediately. Most have a toll-free, 24-hour number.

By law, once you report the loss or theft, you have no further liability for unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card.

Check with each company regarding your maximum liability. This is important when your loss involves a debit card. As unlike a credit card, a debit card results in immediate loss of funds from your bank account.

Major credit card companies

• Visa:
  U.S.A. only: 1-800-VISA911
  Outside U.S.A. (collect call): 1-410-581-7931
• MasterCard: 1-800-826-2181
• Discover: 1-800-DISCOVER
• American Express: 1-800-528-4800

When you call your credit card company, your account is usually closed and a new card and number are issued.

Start a file containing correspondence from your credit card company, bank and police department. Some of the information to include would be: copy of police report and report/case number, old credit account number, new credit card number and any other documents related to your loss or theft of your card.

This information will be useful to the law enforcement agency handling your case if a suspect is identified.

How can I get a copy of my credit report?

If you are a victim of fraud, you may obtain a copy of your credit report free of charge by contacting:

• TransUnion 1-800-680-7289
• Equifax 1-800-525-6285
• Experian 1-800-682-7654

For further information or assistance

If you have a problem with a credit card company, or would like to know more about the regulations that govern credit card companies contact the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland at 216.579.2000.

Complaints and questions about credit cards issued by department stores, oil companies or other non-bank creditors should be addressed to:
 

Credit Cards
Correspondence Branch
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, D.C. 20580

If your credit card is issued by a national bank, send any correspondence to:
 

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Consumer Activities Division
Washington, D.C. 20219

If your credit card is issued by a savings and loan institution or a federal savings bank, contact:
 

Office of Thrift Supervision
1700 G Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20552

For all other banks, write to:
 

Federal Reserve Board
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
Washington, D.C. 20551

Credit card safety

• Report billing errors and unauthorized charges to your credit card company immediately. Keep track of sales slips and other pertinent information so you can compare these to your billing statements.
• Do not give your credit card number over the phone to anyone.
• Check your cards periodically to make sure none are missing. Limit the number to those you regularly use.
• Make sure your credit card is returned after each transaction.
• Personally destroy all carbons on sales slip to avoid unauthorized use of your name, card number and expiration date. (Carbons can be used by counterfeiters.)
• Carry only credit cards you will be using.
• Keep a list of credit card numbers and card company numbers in case a card is stolen or lost.