A Guide to Credit Card Fraud

During the first half of 2025, a shocking £629.3m was lost to scams and payment fraud in the UK, and on average, victims were left £300 out of pocket per incident.
Two-thirds of the reported fraud that took place during this time occurred online. Additionally, £40m was lost to stolen credit cards and £12.8m was fraudulently withdrawn from cash machines.
There are many ways that credit card fraud can occur, and the most important thing to remember is that, however it happens, it’s not your fault.

Different types of credit card fraud

Below are some common examples of credit card fraud.

• Credit card theft. Whether your credit card is purposely stolen or picked up by an opportunist, this is perhaps one of the easiest ways for criminals to access your finances and spend your money.


• ‘Card not present.’ This is when criminals steal your credit card information, without taking your physical card. The credit card details can then be used to make online transactions.


• Identity theft. This involves a criminal stealing your personal data and using it to make credit applications in your name.


• Clone companies. Criminals may pose as legitimate companies and try to lure you in with offers and to-good-to-be-true claims, such as ‘guaranteed approval’. We’ll share tips on how to spot clone companies and potential credit card scams further down the page.


• Credit card ‘skimming.’ Skimming is when criminals use a hidden device to capture credit card information from the chip or magnetic strip. Criminals can add skimming devices to cash machines or point-of-sale (POS) terminals without the retailer’s knowledge.

Signs that you could have been a victim of credit card fraud

• You notice unfamiliar transactions on your credit card statement or in your online banking account.
• Credit searches that you don’t recall making are listed on your credit report.
• You receive communication saying that you’ve been accepted or declined for a credit product that you didn’t apply for.
• Your credit card is declined when you try to make a transaction.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.

What to do if your credit card is lost or stolen

If your card is lost:

If your credit card is lost, it’s important to freeze it as soon as possible.
Many credit card issuers allow you to freeze your card through your online banking app. You can usually do this by logging into your account and finding the ‘freeze’ or ‘lock’ option. Your credit card cannot be used while it’s frozen, meaning that any transaction attempts will be automatically blocked.
If you find your credit card, you can unfreeze or unlock it. If you don’t find your credit card, your credit card should remain frozen, and you should contact your provider to cancel it and issue you a new credit card.

If your credit card is stolen:

If your credit card is stolen, you should report it to your issuer at once. While you’re waiting to speak with your issuer, you should follow the steps above to freeze your credit card.
Once your credit card is cancelled, it cannot be used to withdraw money from a cash machine or make purchases either in-store or online. It will become useless.

Below, we’ve listed a handful of popular issuers in the UK and explained how to cancel a stolen credit card with each company.

Information correct as of November 20, 2025. We strongly suggest double-checking the contact information of your credit card issuer on their official website before you get in touch with them. Please refer to your provider’s website for call costs and availability of services.

If you have a Visa credit card and you’re unable to reach your provider, you can contact Visa’s 24-hour customer service line. They will block your credit card, let your provider know, and assist in issuing you a new credit card.

My thimbl credit card has been stolen; what should I do?

The thimbl credit card is powered by Zable, a trading style of Lendable Limited.
If your thimbl credit card is stolen, you should freeze it on the Zable app as soon as possible and contact Zable to inform them within their opening hours at the following number: 020 3322 9128. Zable is available to contact from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm.

Important: Please note that if you were approved for a thimbl credit card before 2025, you will need to report your stolen card to Vanquis Bank.

What to do if you’re a victim of credit card fraud

If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of credit card fraud, you will need to follow the steps above to contact your issuer and cancel your credit card as soon as possible.

The next step is to report the incident to Action Fraud. You can do this by filling out their online form or calling them on 0300 123 2040.

If you’re in immediate danger or are being threatened, please don’t hesitate to call the police on 999.

How to protect yourself against credit card fraud

While credit card fraud can’t always be prevented, there are many things you can do to minimise your risk and protect yourself and your finances.

• Keep your physical card in a safe place.
• Memorise your PIN and avoid writing it down.
• Never share your PIN with anyone.
• Regularly update your online banking and email passwords.
• If you use your card in public, be aware of your surroundings and anyone standing close by when entering your PIN.
• Make a habit of checking your account and credit report regularly.
• If you manage your credit card through a banking app, consider activating notifications. This way, you’ll be instantly notified of any transactions, and if you don’t recognise them, you can act as soon as possible.
• When disposing of an old credit card, be sure to cut through the chip and magnetic strip.
• If, when using a cash machine, you feel that something doesn’t look quite right or appears to have been tampered with, do not use it and file a report with the relevant bank, Action Fraud, or the police.
• Carefully dispose of any paper credit card statements you receive – shredding is a good idea.
• Be very cautious if you receive unexpected communication from a bank or credit card issuer. If the communication has been sent via email, pay close attention to the address. Criminals often closely mimic authentic accounts, for example, somebody pretending to be contacting you from thimbl may simply swap the ‘l’ for a ‘1’, which can quite easily go undetected at first glance.
  Another telltale sign that you’ve been approached by a criminal is the standard of communication. Most companies check messages thoroughly before they’re sent to customers. Emails or texts littered with spelling errors or strange expressions could signal a scam. Likewise, communication that plays on your emotions by using expressions such as ‘urgent! One-time offer’ and ‘secure your account before midnight to avoid losing your data!’ could be inauthentic.
  If you’re suspicious of any communication you receive, contact the provider using the details on their official website and ask them to confirm.
• Do not click on any links you’re sent unless you’re absolutely certain of their authenticity. Any doubts? Go straight to the official website and check.

Need financial support?

Whether you’re worried about debt or want to talk to someone about the cost of living, please know that you can access free, confidential advice through charities and organisations such as StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.