
Capital One offers a range of tools to help protect against fraud, including their Fraud Protection program.
Capital One's Fraud Protection program is designed to detect and prevent suspicious activity on your account. This includes monitoring your account for unusual transactions and alerting you to potential issues.
If you suspect that your account has been compromised, you can report the issue to Capital One's customer service team. They are available 24/7 to assist with your concerns.
To report suspected fraud, you can call Capital One's customer service number or visit their website to submit a report online.
Broaden your view: Capital One Bank Debit Card Phone Number
Types of Capital One Fraud
Credit card fraud can take many forms, and it's getting more sophisticated all the time.
Credit card application or account fraud is a common type, where fraudsters use personal information like your home address, Social Security number, and birth date to access your credit card account or apply for a new card in your name.
With a scammer's access to your bank account or credit card number, they can move money out of your account and keep it themselves.
Here's an interesting read: Discover Credit Card Fraud Protection
Types of Capital One Fraud

Credit card fraud can take many forms, and it's getting more sophisticated all the time. Here are some common types of Capital One fraud.
Credit card application or account fraud is a major issue, where fraudsters get hold of personal information by dumpster diving, skimming, or stealing mail. They can use this information to access your credit card account or apply for a new card in your name.
If a scammer gets your bank account number or credit card number, they can move money out of your account and keep it themselves.
Skimming
Skimming is a common type of Capital One fraud where thieves create a fake card using your information.
Credit card skimming occurs when someone creates a fake card using someone else's information.
Thieves place a device called a skimmer over the card slot on an ATM or other card reader.
The skimmer reads and stores all your data when you slide your card through the slot.
Cards that come equipped with EMV chips make it more difficult for scammers to create duplicate cards.
Signs of Capital One Fraud
If you notice unfamiliar transactions on your monthly credit card statements, it could be a sign of Capital One fraud. Small account charges can also be a red flag, as hackers sometimes use these to avoid detection.
If you're a Capital One customer, you can use virtual card numbers to prevent scammers from getting a hold of your actual credit card numbers. This can cause a lot of problems for you if a scammer gets your credit card number.
Here are some common signs to look out for:
- Unfamiliar transactions on monthly credit card statements
- Small account charges
- Changes to your credit report that weren’t authorized
- Unexpected calls from creditors or collection agencies
Not-Present in Account
Card-not-present (CNP) fraud is committed over the phone or online when a scammer has the card details but not the physical card.
This type of fraud can happen when a scammer buys your card details on the dark web or acquires them through a phishing scam or data breach.
You can prevent scammers from getting a hold of your actual credit card numbers by using virtual card numbers, especially if you have an account with Capital One.
Capital One's $0 fraud liability means you're not held liable for any fraud on your account, but they may verify and investigate the fraud before approving your claim.
Lost or stolen card fraud can happen when a fraudster uses a card that someone has lost, whether they dropped it in the street, had it stolen in the mail, or were pickpocketed.
Fraudsters often get a hold of personal information by dumpster diving, skimming, or stealing mail, which can be used to access your credit card account or apply for a new card in your name.
Suspicious Activity
If you notice unfamiliar transactions on your monthly credit card statements, it could be a sign of credit card fraud.
Small account charges, which hackers sometimes use to avoid detection, can also indicate fraud.
Blocked access to your account is another red flag.
Changes to your credit report that weren’t authorized, like new credit accounts or unfamiliar addresses, can be a sign of identity theft.
Unexpected calls from creditors or collection agencies can be a warning sign that something is amiss.
Here are some steps to confirm if the charges are fraudulent:
- Go back through your receipts to remind yourself where you’ve been, what you’ve bought, and how much you’ve spent.
- Look up the merchant online to see if it has a parent company or a business name different from the one you know.
- Check with any family members or friends authorized to use the account to make sure they didn’t make the transactions in question.
You can also set up instant purchase notifications in the Capital One Mobile app to monitor your account.
If you suspect credit card fraud, it's essential to act quickly.
Reporting Capital One Fraud
To report Capital One fraud, contact the company directly. You can call 1-800-227-4825, or if you're outside the U.S., call collect at 1-804-934-2001.
If you're reporting a disputed transaction or a lost or stolen card, call 1-800-655-2265. Automated services are available 24/7, but if you want to speak to a human, they're available Sunday-Saturday 8 a.m.-11 p.m. EST.
You can also log in to your account and report suspicious activity as fraudulent directly from your account. If you think you've been sent a scam or other suspicious activity related to your account, email [email protected] or call customer service.
Remember to report any fraud to the Federal Trade Commission, as the federal government recommends doing so if you're the victim of a fraudulent Capital One account opened in your name.
A different take: Report Health Insurance Fraud
How to Prevent

Preventing Capital One fraud requires some common sense and attention to detail. You can enable notifications and security features through the Capital One Mobile app or online account to keep track of spending and spot suspicious charges.
Instant purchase notifications can help you stay on top of your spending in real-time. This can be a huge help in catching any potential fraud.
To keep your account information secure, never give it out over the phone without verifying the caller's identity. This simple step can prevent a lot of potential problems.
Secure your physical credit cards by not lending them to anyone and shredding old cards, statements, and receipts. This will help prevent unauthorized use.
Be cautious during transactions that require handing over a credit card, and never insert your card into a suspicious or damaged card reader. This can help prevent card skimming or other types of fraud.
Regularly review your statements and credit reports to ensure everything looks correct. Save receipts to compare with monthly statements and check your credit reports frequently.

Here are some additional tips to prevent Capital One fraud:
- Be cautious when making online purchases and avoid phishing scams that require opening links or attachments.
- Consider using virtual card numbers to protect your credit card account for online transactions.
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One, which offers free dark web monitoring and alerts when your credit report changes.
What to Do After a Hack
If you're a victim of a Capital One hack, don't panic. Capital One has a $0 fraud liability, which means you're not held liable for any fraud on your account.
To take advantage of this protection, you'll need to submit a claim for unauthorized use. This will trigger an investigation, but rest assured that Capital One will verify and investigate the fraud before approving your claim.
First, contact Capital One's customer service to report the issue and start the claims process. Be prepared to provide detailed information about the unauthorized transactions.
Capital One will then work to resolve the issue and reimburse any stolen money.
If this caught your attention, see: Insurance Claim Fraud Detection
Class Action Lawsuit and Settlement
A class action lawsuit was filed against Capital One after a massive data breach in 2019. The breach exposed the personal data of over 100 million clients, including those who had applied for credit cards.

The lawsuit claimed that Capital One was negligent in its data security practices, allowing the breach to occur. The company was also accused of failing to adequately monitor its systems, which could have prevented or minimized the breach.
The lawsuit was settled for $16 million, which will be used to compensate affected clients for any direct financial losses or other damages caused by the breach. This includes costs related to fraud or unauthorized transactions, as well as expenses for data fraud protection and credit checking services.
To be eligible for a payout, clients must have had their data exposed between March 2016 and July 2019. They must also provide evidence of financial losses or personal expenses related to the breach.
Here's a breakdown of the settlement:
- Pay for Misfortunes: Clients who experienced financial losses due to the breach can receive repayment.
- Personal Costs: Individuals may be eligible for compensation if they spent money on data fraud protection, credit checking services, or other related expenses.
- Capital One has also committed to providing free credit monitoring and identity protection services to affected clients to prevent future fraud.
To make a claim, qualified parties must submit a case by the deadline, which will be specified in the settlement documents. This typically involves filling out a short form that describes how the breach affected them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Capital One bank scandal?
The Capital One bank scandal refers to a 2019 data breach that exposed 106 million sensitive customer records, including social security numbers and bank account information. This massive data breach is considered one of the largest in US history, highlighting the growing threat of identity theft and cybercrime.
Sources
- https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/privacy-security/what-to-do-about-credit-card-fraud/
- https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/29/business/capital-one-data-breach/index.html
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveweisman/2024/12/26/cfpb-sues-major-banks-over-zelle-fraud-response/
- https://financetaxexperts.com/capital-one-class-action-settlement/
- https://fairshake.com/capital-one-bank/fraudulent-accounts/
Featured Images: pexels.com