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us Money & financial emergencies unauthorized cash advance • cash advance not mine • cash advance i didn’t do • cash advance on statement • unknown cash advance charge • atm cash withdrawal fraud • credit card cash withdrawal • card used at atm • suspected card skimming cash • cloned card cash withdrawal • pin compromised suspected • stolen card and pin • surprise cash advance fee • cash advance interest charged • cash advance pending • mystery cash advance • cash withdrawl on statement • cash advnce on statement

What to do if…
your credit card statement shows a cash advance you did not make

Short answer

Call your card issuer’s fraud number immediately (the one on the back of your card or in your app) and report the cash advance as unauthorised so they can block further withdrawals and open a dispute.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t call a “bank” number from a text/email/pop-up—use the number on the back of your card or your issuer’s official app/website.
  • Don’t share your PIN, one-time passcodes, or verification codes with anyone.
  • Don’t wait for the next statement—cash advances can repeat quickly.
  • Don’t mail original documents (send copies only).
  • Don’t ignore the rest of your account—keep everything else current while the dispute is investigated.

What to do now

  1. Call your issuer and report: “Unauthorised cash advance.”
    Ask them to:
    • Cancel/replace the card immediately.
    • Block cash advances (ask them to set your cash-advance limit to $0 or otherwise disable withdrawals if possible).
    • Confirm the date/time/amount/location they have for the cash advance and open a fraud/dispute case.
    • Tell you what they need from you next (some issuers want a form or affidavit).
  2. Follow up in writing as a billing error dispute (do this ASAP).
    Even if you reported it by phone, send a written dispute to the issuer’s “billing inquiries” address (usually on your statement). Include:
    • Your name and account number (or last 4 digits)
    • The cash advance amount/date
    • “I did not authorize this cash advance” and a request to investigate and correct it
      Send it so it reaches the issuer within 60 days after the first statement containing the error was sent/mailed to you, and keep proof you sent it (copies + delivery confirmation if possible).
  3. Lock down the account to prevent repeats.
    • Change your app/online password from a trusted device.
    • Turn on real-time alerts.
    • Review and remove any unfamiliar phone numbers/emails/devices linked to the account.
  4. Document what you’re seeing.
    Screenshot the transaction line and note any details shown (location/ATM operator/reference). Write down the date/time you called and the case number.
  5. If identity theft is a concern, create an official identity theft report and protect your credit.
    • Use IdentityTheft.gov to create an identity theft report and recovery plan.
    • Fraud alert: You can place one by contacting one of the three nationwide credit bureaus; that bureau must tell the other two.
    • Credit freeze: You generally need to contact each of the three bureaus to freeze your file.
  6. File a police report if your issuer asks (or if it clearly involves an ATM/PIN).
    Some issuers request a police report for cash withdrawals. If you file one, keep the report number and provide it to the issuer.

What can wait

  • You do not need to prove how it happened before you report it.
  • You do not need to contact the ATM owner yourself unless your issuer tells you to.
  • You do not need to decide today about paid monitoring—focus on stopping further loss and getting the dispute on record.

Important reassurance

It’s normal to feel alarmed by a cash advance you didn’t make. The most effective “right now” actions are: report it to the issuer, block cash advances, and create a clear paper trail—then you can take the next steps calmly.

Scope note

This guide covers first steps only: stopping additional withdrawals, starting the dispute process, and reducing immediate identity risk. Later steps and timelines vary by issuer and the details of the transaction.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. Follow your issuer’s instructions and keep copies of everything you send. If someone pressures you to share codes or move money “to keep it safe,” stop and contact your issuer using a trusted number.

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