Streaming subscriptions, grocery shopping, click and collect. There’s so many ways now that your card or bank details can be used online to pay for goods and services. Those details may be stored by retailers, and the data that those retailers possess may be in danger of being breached.

That’s an ongoing risk of being an online shopper – the fear that somehow your card details will be leaked, or that a fraudulent transaction will appear on your bank statement. It might seem scary, but most banks and credit card companies have measures in place to ensure that you’ll be protected from breaches like that.

So what if you find yourself facing transactions that you certainly did not make on your bank statement? Here are some important steps that you should take immediately.

Call Your Card Provider Immediately

Most of the time, banks and card providers will notify you if they happen to notice something amiss with your account transactions. However, if the spending is in line with your usual habits, it might slip through the cracks by them. Notify your provider immediately when you discover the fraudulent activity, as this will prompt them to investigate the breach and issue you a new card.

Change Your Passwords

Be sure to review all of your financial accounts and change the passwords and pins for your bank accounts and cards. This should assist in keeping your accounts secure and away from the breach.

Monitor Your Card Statements & Credit Reports

Keep an eye on your transactions and statements for a few months after the fraud or breach occurs – it can take time for the charges to appear. You may then be able to approach the breach and resolve it without it impacting your credit score or your bank account.

Check Your Online Shopping Accounts

If the breach has occurred as a result of fraudulent activity with a card, it can be best to remove the card (and any stored cards) from your online shopping accounts in case they are no longer secure.

While anybody can be a victim of fraudulent transactions, nobody has to have their life or even their day ruined as a result of it. You can also help to keep your accounts safe and secure with strong passwords and regular monitoring.