Finding out your credit card has been cloned can feel scary. But you’re not alone—this happens to thousands of people every year. The good news? If you act quickly, you’ll usually get your money back.
This blog explains what card cloning is, what to do straight away, and how to protect yourself in the future.
Credit card cloning happens when criminals copy the information from your real card onto a fake one. They can then use this fake card to buy things with your money.
Card cloning costs people around £4 million in 2024. So while it’s not the most common type of fraud, it still affects thousands of people each year — and you’re definitely not alone if it happens to you.
Understanding how cloning works can help you spot the warning signs. Here are the main ways criminals get your card information:
Card skimming at cash machines - Criminals create a device which looks like where you'd enter your card at an ATM. They fit the device over the slot on the cash machine. Then when people use the cash point, their card is skimmed. They might also use tiny cameras to watch you type in your PIN.
Dodgy card readers in shops - In rare cases, fraudsters work with dishonest shop staff to tamper with card machines. They can attach a hidden device that copies your card details when you pay, which can then be used to make fake copies of your card.
Getting your details online - Fraudsters may steal your details through fake websites, phishing emails, or data breaches at big companies.
Watching you enter your PIN - You might have been 'shoulder-surfed' for your PIN. This is when someone who wants to steal your card looks over your shoulder as you enter your PIN at a cashpoint or when making a payment.
You’ll usually spot card cloning because of unusual activity on your account. Some signs to look out for include:
It’s a good idea to check your accounts regularly so you can spot anything odd quickly. Most banks also let you set up alerts, so you get a text or app notification every time your card is used. This means you’ll know straight away if someone else is trying to spend your money.
If you think your card has been cloned, act fast. The quicker you report it, the better your chances of getting your money back.
The first and most important step is to contact your bank or card provider as soon as you spot suspicious transactions.
Call the fraud number on the back of your card or use your banking app. Tell them:
Your bank will cancel your card straight away and send you a new one. Reporting it quickly is important, because if you leave it too long you could end up having to cover some of the loss yourself.
Look at your bank accounts and credit cards regularly to check for any transactions you didn’t make. Criminals sometimes get information for more than one card at a time, so it’s worth reviewing everything.
You can get free credit reports from companies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Report the activity to Action Fraud using their online fraud reporting tool or by calling 0300 123 2040. This assists the police in tracking down the criminals and might help other people avoid the same scam.
If you're in Scotland, report it to Police Scotland on 101 instead.
You might think that only one credit card has been cloned, but you might not know how they got the details to use that card. So, other services you use could also be in danger of being used fraudulently.
Change the passwords for your online banking, shopping websites, and any other important accounts. If you can, change your card PINs too.
In most cases, yes—you’ll get your money back. UK law protects you against fraud under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and the Payment Services Regulations. Your bank must refund you if money was taken without your permission.
There are only a few situations where you might not get all your money back:
Here are some simple things you can do to keep your card safe:
If you're worried about fraud or need help, you can:
Don't feel embarrassed about asking for help. Card cloning happens to lots of people, and there are experts who can guide you through sorting everything out.
Having your credit card cloned is stressful, but it's not the end of the world. The key things to remember are:
By acting quickly and following the steps in this guide, you'll be back to normal in no time. Remember, your provider and the police are on your side—they want to stop these criminals just as much as you do.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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