[kyrra]

Googler, opinions are my own.

We actually created a portal where you can report unknown charges to Google directly; https://payments.google.com/payments/unauthorizedtransaction...

Credit card companies tell you to work with a company before issuing a chargeback, as chargebacks are a last resort. The above form helps you keep you account active without being swept up in the chargeback process.

It's something we all want to keep improving. I'm hoping as SCA (strong customer authentication) rolls out across europe and maybe other countries pick it up, it should cut down on issues like this.

[amscanne]

I believe that the "work with a company" guidance is for a dispute (e.g. you ordered something, but didn't get it or are otherwise unhappy) -- not an outright unauthorized purchase by someone other than the card holder. I don't see what most companies would do if you approached them in this case: you have no order number, no information about the purchase, nothing to return, etc.

The only logical thing to do in the case of a stolen or copied card is to contact the bank directly, so that the card can be canceled and fraudulent charges reversed.

[kyrra]

Point taken. I thought of that same point after I wrote the above.