What To Do If You Shared Your Card Details
If you gave your card number, expiry, or CVV to a scammer, act fast to block the card and monitor for fraudulent charges.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
First 10 minutes
- Call your bank or card issuer using the official number on the back of the card
- Ask them to block the card and issue a replacement
- Tell them the details were shared with a suspected fraudster
- Ask whether any charges have already been made
- Do not use the card for anything until it is replaced
First 24 hours
- Monitor your account online or via your banking app for unauthorised transactions
- Dispute any charges you do not recognise through your card issuer
- Report the scam to your national fraud service
- Check whether the same card details are saved on any online accounts (e.g. shopping sites) and remove them
- If the card was linked to subscriptions, update those with the new card details once received
Contact your bank or payment provider
- Ask your bank to freeze or cancel the card immediately
- Ask them to flag any pending transactions for review
- Confirm how to dispute any charges that appear
- Ask about automatic alerts for future transactions on replacement cards
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot or note where and how you were asked for the details
- Save the message, email, website, or call record that led to sharing your details
- Record the date and time the details were shared
- Keep any transaction records showing unauthorised charges
Secure your accounts and devices
- Remove the compromised card from any saved payment methods online
- Update any regular payments or direct debits with new card details when they arrive
- Check whether your card details appear in any online breach databases
- Enable transaction alerts on your new card
Report it
- Report to your national fraud/cybercrime service
- Report to the platform, bank, or provider involved
- Keep any reference numbers you're given
Sharing your card number, expiry date, and CVV gives someone all they need to make purchases online. The sooner your bank blocks the card, the less opportunity there is for fraudulent use.
Card fraud is taken seriously by banks and card networks, and unauthorised transactions are generally disputable. Contact your issuer immediately, even if no charges have appeared yet — preventative action is faster and simpler than disputing multiple fraudulent charges after the fact.
Be cautious about who asks for your card details. Legitimate services never ask for the CVV over the phone or by message, and never need your card number to process a refund.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to cancel my card if no charges have appeared yet?
Yes. Card details can be sold or used later, sometimes weeks after they were stolen. Replacing the card proactively is safer and simpler than disputing charges after the fact.
Can my bank reverse fraudulent card charges?
Generally yes — unauthorised card transactions can typically be disputed and reversed. Contact your card issuer as soon as you spot them and provide as much detail as possible.
I shared my details on what turned out to be a fake website — what should I do?
Cancel your card immediately, then report the fake website to your national fraud service and to the brand it was impersonating. Keep the URL as evidence.
Someone called me from 'my bank' and asked for my card number — was that real?
Almost certainly not. Genuine banks do not call you and ask for your full card number, CVV, or PIN. If you gave details in this situation, call your bank back using the number on your card.