Dear Clever Credit: How Can I Stop My Ex from Using My Credit Card?

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this. Your ex should have removed your credit card from his membership instead of telling you to cancel it. But then again, there’s probably a reason he’s your ex.

If your ex wasn’t an authorized user and used your credit card without permission, this constitutes credit card fraud, and you’re completely within your rights to file a police report.

However, if he was an authorized user at the time of the charges, the situation is more complicated. As the primary account holder, you’re responsible for those charges, meaning your ex isn’t legally obligated to repay them. This is only true if he was an authorized user when the charges occurred.

I reached out to two local gyms, Planet Fitness and Pacific Northwest Fitness, about your situation. Both suggested the same approach: Visit the gym in question, explain what happened, and provide your name, card number, and your ex’s name. They should be able to remove your card from his membership.

The reason you’re still seeing charges even after canceling your credit card is because you need to cancel all preauthorized charges directly with the merchant before closing the account. Contact the gym to cancel the agreement and then dispute the charges with your credit card issuer. Review your statements to identify the exact transactions, and provide this information to your issuer when you call to dispute the charges.

The credit card company will investigate the charges. If they determine the charges were unauthorized, they should issue a refund. You’ll be notified of the decision via email or mail.

Lastly, filing a police report is a good step. Credit card fraud is a serious offense with potential consequences including fines and even jail time, depending on various factors like the severity of the crime, your ex’s criminal history, and local laws. Hopefully, taking these steps will prevent similar issues in the future.