Normally my "How to" blogs aren't so personal or important, but this one hits home. I just got a message, about an hour ago, detailing how my debit card was used at a Hunan Wok, a restaurant I've never even heard of. 

So, "How do you deal with Credit Card Fraud?" Don't freak out on me now, it's not too hard. 

1) Make sure you're checking you payments and card transaction history weekly. If you don't check, you could be charged for a purchase that you didn't authorize

2) If you notice a charge that you didn't authorize, call the number on the back of your card. If you get a fraud alert, don't respond to that number, because it could be a scam. Always call the bank directly. 

3) Make sure you inform them of the specific problem and charge that you didn't make. They're probably going to lock the card, and monitor to see if someone tries to use your card again. 

4) Be ready to verify your identity, know your last purchase, and some personal information they might ask for!

5) Talk to the representative about setting up a new card. They'll probably mail you one, but some bank branches will actually allow you to go in person to pick up a new credit or debit card. 

6) Take a deep breath, and don't panic! This happens more than you might imagine, and chances are the bank will deal with it accordingly. So long as you dispute the charges, and follow the above series of instructions, you should be fine!

7) Remember to update your old payment information with the new information once the card arrives in the mail. Try using PayPal for more secure purchases!