Do banks actually investigate unauthorized transactions?

Asked by: Lola Ebert  |  Last update: February 28, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

Banks use advanced tools and strict procedures to detect fraud, determine liability, and implement preventive measures, ensuring the security of client assets. The investigation process can vary in length based on the complexity of the case, from initial detection to final resolution.

Can banks find out who used your card?

Banks and law enforcement can use transaction details, surveillance footage, and digital tracking methods to identify the perpetrator, with various results.

Do bank fraudsters get caught?

It really depends on the actions taken by a cardholder after they notice a possible attack and the prevention methods a bank or card issuer takes to detect fraud. Some estimates say less than 1% of credit card fraud is actually caught, while others say it could be higher but is impossible to know.

Will the bank refund an unauthorised transaction?

Tell your bank as soon as you notice an unauthorised payment and ask them for a refund. Make sure you get in touch with your bank within 13 months from the date of the payment. Otherwise, you may not be able to make a claim. Your bank may ask you some questions and get you to fill out a form stating what happened.

What do banks do when they investigate a dispute?

Banks investigate disputes by examining transaction records, cardholder details, merchant information, and evidence furnished by both parties to determine if fraud occurred and whether a chargeback is warranted. Banks employ a combination of fraud detection tools and human fraud specialists to probe disputes.

The Fraud Investigation Process

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How successful are bank disputes?

Disputing a credit card charge has a 96% success rate

Of those who disputed a claim, 75% had an authorized charge, 21% claimed they didn't receive the goods they paid for or they were defective and 21% said they canceled a subscription and were still charged.

What happens if you make a false dispute with your bank?

These claims can result from misunderstandings, fraud, or attempts to bypass return policies. The cardholder can face consequences for chargeback abuse, including account freezes, losing one's bank account, damage to one's credit score, and even legal consequences.

How do banks detect unauthorized transactions?

Investigators analyze transaction data, looking for fraud indicators such as location data, timestamps, and IP addresses. They may request additional information from the customer to understand user behavior and identify how the fraud occurred.

Can bank reverse a Unauthorised transaction?

The bank has to resolve your complaint within 90 days from the date of receipt. If the transaction has happened because of your negligence, that is, because of your sharing your password, PIN, OTP , etc., you will have to bear the loss till you report it to your bank.

Do banks prosecute fraudsters?

If a bank believes fraud has occurred (and if it's significant enough), they may notify law enforcement agencies. The relevant law enforcement agency can then decide whether or not to open an investigation.

Can you go to jail for disputing charges?

You cannot go to jail for filing credit card disputes. The Fair Credit Billing Act directly protects consumers from incorrect and fraudulent charges. But if you file fraudulent chargebacks, you risk lawsuits and criminal charges. A fraudulent chargeback is a false dispute made by a consumer to secure a refund.

Can money stolen from a bank be traced?

By leveraging a wide range of data sources and advanced techniques, investigators can locate individuals, trace hidden assets, and ultimately recover stolen funds.

What happens if someone fraudulently uses your debit card?

As soon as possible contact your bank to report the fraudulent activity. The bank will likely cancel your card and issue a new one. Once you receive the new one you'll have to update any automatic payments you have linked to it. Place a fraud watch on your credit report.

Can banks track where a transaction was made?

Banks leverage sophisticated rule-based detection systems that monitor transaction patterns and flag anomalies. These systems analyze factors such as transaction frequency, amount, and geographical location, comparing them against established customer profiles and historical data.

How often do credit card frauds get caught?

Unfortunately, less than 1% of credit card cases are solved by the police. Unless a family member stole your card information, it's fairly rare that credit card thieves are caught. One reason is that many fraudsters use anonymous services and advanced technology that make it difficult to track them down.

Who pays when a credit card is used fraudulently?

The merchant is liable for the acceptance of any fraudulent order and the cardholder's issuing bank will collect the customer's refund from the merchant should a cardholder request a chargeback.

Can a bank refuse to refund Unauthorised transaction?

While banks are generally obligated to refund money lost to fraud, they may deny the refund if you were negligent or involved in the scam. Whether or not your bank will refund scammed money depends on the bank's policies, the type of scam, and how you paid. But there are consumer protections available.

Is it illegal to keep money that someone accidentally sends you?

You cannot keep money that was mistakenly deposited into your account; it must be returned. Failing to report and return the money could result in legal consequences, such as criminal charges. Contact your bank immediately when you notice the error and keep records of your interactions.

What happens when you report an unauthorized transaction?

After receiving your notification, the bank must conduct a reasonable investigation of the claim before it can claim that no billing error occurred or that a different billing error occurred. Actions that a bank may take in reviewing a claim include the following: Looking at the transaction in light of other purchases.

Do police investigate unauthorized transactions?

Police typically do not investigate a single stolen credit card. If there is concern about a larger ring of criminal behavior, law enforcement may be more likely to spend time investigating. In most cases, the credit institution and the FTC handle credit card fraud investigations.

How far back can banks trace transactions?

So, in summary, you can expect that banks will have records of at least the past 5 years of statements, and likely longer in many cases. The older the account, however, the less likely the bank still has accessible records in their main systems. Very old records may be archived offline.

How do I get my money back after I discovered an unauthorized transaction?

Contact your bank or credit union as quickly as you can when you discover any unauthorized payment. If the check was processed as an electronic transfer, you have additional protections under federal law. If the check was not processed as an electronic transfer, you may have protections under state law.

What do banks do when they investigate disputes?

How do banks determine a dispute? Banks review transaction information, merchant details, and evidence submitted by both the cardholder and the merchant to determine which party is at fault. If the cardholder is at fault, the transaction remains on their credit or debit card statement.

Can I get in trouble for disputing a charge?

Consumer Consequences for Friendly Fraud: Filing False Credit Card Disputes. Cardholders can face consequences for filing false chargebacks. In fact, friendly fraud is considered to be a form of wire fraud, which means that, technically, you could go to jail for falsely disputing credit card charges.

Can I sue my bank for their mistake?

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to sue your bank in small claims court. You may also be able to join a class-action lawsuit against a particular financial services company.