Check statements for small test transactions

Before a fraudster spends big, they often run a tiny charge to confirm a stolen card works. Catching it early saves the rest.

1. Scan your statement or app each week, not just at month’s end.
2. Look for small odd amounts — a dollar or two from a merchant you don’t recognise.
3. Don’t dismiss tiny charges as harmless; they’re often a test before a larger hit.
4. Cross-check unfamiliar merchant names by searching the name before assuming it’s fraud.
5. If anything’s genuinely unexplained, lock the card in-app and call your bank.