What to Do if You Suspect Fraud on Your Account

If something doesn’t seem right with your account, it’s important to take it seriously. Account fraud can take many forms, from unauthorized transactions to identity theft. Acting quickly can help reduce financial losses and prevent further damage.

While discovering suspicious activity can be stressful, knowing what steps to take can help you respond with confidence and protect your personal and financial information.

Warning Signs of Account Fraud

Fraud isn’t always obvious, but there are several signs that may indicate your account or personal information has been compromised.

Common fraud warning signs include:

• Charges or withdrawals you don’t recognize.
• Unexpected bills, accounts, or credit cards opened in your name.
• Missing mail or unexplained changes to your contact information.
• Being contacted about purchases, loans, or debts you did not authorize.

If you notice any of these warning signs, investigate independently. Don’t call the phone number that contacted you or was included in a suspicious message. Instead, use verified contact information from a trusted source and never provide personal or account information until you’ve confirmed the request is legitimate.

What to Do if You Suspect Fraud

If you believe you’ve been targeted by fraud, consider taking the following steps immediately:

• Review your accounts and report suspicious activity right away.
• Update passwords, PINs, and login credentials to secure your accounts.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit file to help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened.
• Report the incident to the appropriate authorities when necessary. Contact FBI Houston at (713) 693-5000 or visit tips.fbi.gov.
• If you’re unsure what to do next, contact Texas First at 888-TFB-PALS (888-832-7257).

Taking action as soon as possible can help protect your accounts and create a record of the situation should additional follow-up be required.

How to Prevent Future Fraud

Once you’ve addressed the immediate concern, it’s important to stay proactive. Fraud prevention is an ongoing process, and regularly monitoring your accounts can help reduce the risk of future incidents.

To help protect yourself moving forward:

• Review account activity and statements regularly.
• Be cautious when sharing personal or financial information.
• Watch for suspicious emails, text messages, or phone calls claiming to be from financial institutions.
• Use strong passwords and enable additional security features whenever available, such as multi-factor authentication.

Many fraud attempts begin with phishing emails, text messages, or phone calls designed to obtain personal information.

Protect Your Accounts and Personal Information

Experiencing potential fraud can feel overwhelming, but taking quick action can make an important difference. Monitoring your accounts, securing your information, and responding promptly to suspicious activity can help reduce risk and protect your financial well-being.

The Texas First Security Center offers helpful information on fraud prevention, identity theft protection, and account security resources to help you better protect your personal information.

Learn more about fraud prevention and account security through Texas First’s Security Center.