Skip to main content
Preventing fraud with your card

Know what (not) to do to protect your card, avoid scams, and resist malevolent actions by people willing to use your card details for fraud.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

This article is highly recommended for all Payhawk cardholders to read.

Where do scammers find my data?

Our data is dispersed across various platforms, from social media to data brokers. Threat actors exploit this information to create profiles detailing the services and systems individuals use. For example, they can determine if someone is a Payhawk customer through web intelligence or public records.


It's crucial to remember that any information shared online could be gathered and utilized by malicious entities for fraudulent purposes.

What to do if Payhawk requests my card details?

Payhawk will never request your full card details, CVV code, or expiration date.

Also, Payhawk will never call you on the phone to request any card details.

If Payhawk contacts you on a specific occasion that may require information related to any of your card details:

  • You will receive an email from a @payhawk.com email address.

  • In the rare event that the Payhawk team would need to confirm anything on your card, it would be the last 4 digits, the cardholder name, and your email with Payhawk.

What can I do to prevent fraud with my card?

Act wisely and be cautious.

The following are a few tips for you to bear in mind:

  • Never share your card details with anyone. Anyone, be it a colleague, friend, or partner. For more information, read the Payhawk Services Specific Terms > Part B Payment Services > Payment Cards.

  • Never share your full card details with anyone, including Payhawk email or chat.

  • Do not share your card with colleagues or team members; each user must have their own individual card.

  • If your company has allowed the ATM withdrawal option, draw cash only at ATMs from familiar banks.

  • Enable your Payhawk mobile app payment notifications. In this way, you can have visibility over your card transactions at all times.

  • If you haven't enabled your mobile app payment notifications, check your payments daily.

How can I prevent card fraud when on the web?

Scammers usually get their information from the web as people tend to share sensitive data there more easily.

The following are online activity tips for you to bear in mind:

  • Do not provide your card details over the phone, email, or chat with anyone.

  • Do not save your card details on websites or apps unless absolutely necessary. If you do, ensure it’s with a trusted and secure merchant.

  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi for online transactions. If necessary, use a trusted Virtual Private Network (VPN) for added security.

  • Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails, messages, or pop-ups that request your card details. These could be phishing attempts.

  • Be cautious of unfamiliar merchants. Research online sellers before making a purchase to ensure they are reputable.

  • Use websites with 3D security activated. If in doubt, contact Payhawk Support at support@payhawk.com.

  • Shop only on secure websites. Look for https:// at the beginning of the website web address and a padlock icon in the browser's address bar.

  • Use virtual cards or one-time-use card numbers for online purchases whenever possible. These add an extra layer of security.

What should I do if I detect a suspicious transaction?

If you suspect a fraudulent transaction, block your card and report the payment in question to Payhawk Support at support@payhawk.com.

How does Payhawk help cardholders detect and avoid fraudulent activity?

At Payhawk, the security of cardholders is a top priority, ensured through the use of a robust transaction monitoring system. This system leverages both internal and external data while adhering to the highest industry standards, recommendations, and guidelines to identify potentially fraudulent activity and high-risk transactions.

When suspicious or fraudulent patterns are detected, specific actions may be taken to safeguard cardholders:

  • Declining the specific transaction.

  • Suspending the card involved in the transaction.

  • Contacting the client for additional information and confirmation regarding the flagged activity.

If contact is required, communication will be initiated from monitoring@payhawk.com.

Payhawk representatives will never request sensitive card details, such as the full card number, expiration date, CVV code, or other personal information. Instead, sufficient details about the suspicious activity will be provided to help cardholders and listed Payhawk administrators securely review and verify the transaction.

Useful resources

Did this answer your question?