> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://capitalhelpcenter.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Protect Your Capital One Account from Fraud

> Discover essential steps to secure your Capital One credit card account, detect suspicious activity early, and respond quickly if fraud occurs.

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Keeping your Capital One account secure starts with a few simple habits that dramatically reduce your fraud risk. Whether you're shopping online, traveling abroad, or simply reviewing your monthly statement, staying proactive gives you the best defense against unauthorized activity. The tools Capital One provides make it easier than ever to stay informed and in control.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Account Alerts" icon="bell">
    Receive real-time notifications for every transaction on your account — the moment a charge posts, you'll know about it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Virtual Card Numbers" icon="eye-slash">
    Generate a unique virtual card number for online shopping so your real card number is never exposed to merchants.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Card Lock" icon="lock">
    Instantly freeze your card directly from the Capital One mobile app if it's lost, misplaced, or you notice something suspicious.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Credit Monitoring" icon="chart-line">
    Capital One CreditWise gives you free credit monitoring and alerts so you can catch changes to your credit profile early.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Set Up Account Alerts

Account alerts are one of the most effective ways to catch fraud early. Here's how to enable them:

1. **Sign in** to your Capital One account at [capitalone.com](https://www.capitalone.com) or open the Capital One mobile app.
2. Navigate to **Profile & Settings**, then select **Notifications** or **Alerts**.
3. Choose the alert types you want to activate:
   * **Purchase alerts** — get notified for every transaction, or only those above a set dollar amount.
   * **Large transaction alerts** — flag charges over a threshold you define.
   * **International use alerts** — receive a notification any time your card is used outside your home country.
4. Select your preferred delivery method: **SMS**, **email**, or **push notification** through the app.
5. Tap or click **Save** to confirm your preferences.

You can update these settings any time, and you're encouraged to enable as many as feel comfortable — more alerts means more visibility.

## Use Virtual Card Numbers

When shopping online, your physical card number is shared with merchants, payment processors, and sometimes stored in databases that can be breached. Capital One's **Eno** browser extension solves this problem by generating a unique virtual card number for each online merchant you visit.

Here's how it works:

* **Install the Eno browser extension** from the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or Edge Extensions marketplace. Search for *Capital One Eno*.
* **Sign in with your Capital One credentials** when prompted to link your account.
* When you reach a checkout page online, Eno will **automatically offer to create a virtual card number** tied to your real account — but completely separate from it.
* Each virtual number is **merchant-specific**, meaning it can only be charged by the site it was created for.
* If a virtual number is ever compromised, you can deactivate it instantly without affecting your physical card or other virtual numbers.

This layer of separation means your actual card number stays private no matter how many sites you shop on.

## What to Do If You Spot Fraud

If you notice a transaction you don't recognize, act quickly. Capital One makes it straightforward to report fraud and secure your account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Lock Your Card Immediately">
    Open the Capital One mobile app and navigate to your card. Tap **Lock Card** to instantly prevent any new purchases from going through. This does not affect pending transactions or recurring payments already scheduled.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Report the Fraudulent Transaction">
    In the app or online, find the suspicious transaction and select **Report a Problem** or **Dispute Transaction**. Provide as much detail as you can about why the charge looks unfamiliar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request a Replacement Card">
    Once you've reported the fraud, Capital One will typically offer to send you a new card with a new number. You can request this through the app, online, or by calling the number on the back of your current card. Most replacement cards arrive within a few business days.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor Your Statements Closely">
    For the next several billing cycles, review your statements carefully for any additional unauthorized charges. Keep your account alerts turned on during this period so you're notified of every transaction in real time.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Capital One CreditWise

CreditWise is a free credit monitoring tool available to **all Capital One cardholders** — and even to people who don't have a Capital One account. It helps you stay on top of your credit health and catch unusual activity before it becomes a bigger problem.

With CreditWise, you can:

* **Monitor your TransUnion credit report** and receive alerts when key changes occur, such as new accounts being opened in your name.
* **Track your credit score** over time with weekly VantageScore 3.0 updates.
* **Run a Dark Web Scan** to check whether your Social Security number or email address has appeared in known data breaches.
* **Simulate score impacts** using the Credit Score Simulator to see how actions like paying off a balance or opening a new card might affect your score.

You can access CreditWise through the Capital One mobile app or at [capitalone.com/creditwise](https://www.capitalone.com/creditwise). It's completely free and using it will never impact your credit score.

<Tip>
  Never share your one-time password (OTP) or verification code with anyone — not even someone claiming to be from Capital One. Capital One will never call or text you to ask for a code you just received. If someone does ask, end the conversation immediately and contact Capital One directly through the number on the back of your card.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Capital One will **never** ask for your account password via email. If you receive an email requesting your password, account number, or full Social Security number, do not click any links or reply. This is a phishing attempt. Report it by forwarding the email to [abuse@capitalone.com](mailto:abuse@capitalone.com) and then delete it.
</Warning>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I freeze my Capital One card?">
    You can freeze — or "lock" — your Capital One card in seconds through the mobile app. Open the app, select the card you want to lock, and tap **Lock Card**. This immediately blocks new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers. You can unlock the card just as quickly if you find it or determine the charge was legitimate. You can also lock your card by signing in at capitalone.com and navigating to your card's settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is Capital One Eno?">
    Eno is Capital One's intelligent virtual assistant. Among its many features, Eno offers a browser extension that generates **virtual card numbers** for online shopping. Each virtual number is linked to your real Capital One card but is unique to the merchant where it's created. This means your actual card number is never shared with online retailers. Eno also sends proactive alerts if it notices unusual charges and can answer questions about your account via text message.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is CreditWise free?">
    Yes — CreditWise is completely free to use, and you don't even need to be a Capital One cardholder to sign up. There are no hidden fees, and checking your score or report through CreditWise will never affect your credit. You can access it through the Capital One mobile app or at capitalone.com/creditwise.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>