What is GFDL?  What is Adele Services?

You may be wondering this if you were one of millions of Americans hit with a $0.25 charge by either of these “companies”.

Turns out that neither of these companies exist!  It seems that the culprits behind the scam made millions off of tiny charges, knowing that people will probably look past such a small charge and not take the time to dispute them.

This underscores how incredibly important it is to review your credit card balances each month, and how important it is to quickly dispute false charges and to stamp out these scams as quickly as possible.

So, what are the correct steps to take when you notice a fraudulent charge on your statement?

1.  Dispute the charge with your credit card company. Call the customer service number on your credit card’s website and explain that the charge is fraudulent.

2.  Get help from Thrive. If your credit card company refuses to clear the charge, let us know and we’ll help you understand your rights and how to talk with your credit card company.

3.  Fight back. Lodge a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.