Friend Misuses Credit Card for Flight Ticket Instead of Petrol: Here’s What to Do

New Delhi: Lending a credit card to a friend may seem like a small favor, but what if that trust is misused? Imagine giving your friend your credit card to fill up petrol, only to later find that it was used to purchase an expensive flight ticket. Such situations can be financially and emotionally jarring, but swift action can help contain the damage.

Understand the Stakes
A credit card is more than a plastic card—it records your spending, borrowing history, and impacts your future creditworthiness. Any misuse, even by a friend, can affect your financial standing. Acting quickly is crucial to avoid long-term consequences.

Immediate Action: Freeze Your Card
The first step is not to wait for your friend to explain or reimburse you. Log in to your bank’s app or website and use the “Freeze Card” or “Lock Card” feature. This will halt any ongoing transactions and prevent further unauthorized spending, such as baggage fees or hotel deposits. While it won’t reverse previous charges, it stops additional misuse.

Report the Misuse to Your Bank
Next, contact your credit card company’s fraud department. Explain that the card was lent for a limited purpose, and the additional charges were unauthorized. Even though banks may not classify “friend misusing a card” as identity theft, reporting it formally creates a written record that can be crucial if the situation escalates. Emphasize that you did not authorize full access or unlimited spending, even if the payment technically went through.

Address the Issue With Your Friend
Ask your friend to cancel the flight ticket if possible. For non-refundable tickets, request immediate repayment. If your friend resists, consider mediation or escalating the matter via a demand letter, small claims court, or civil action.

Protect Your Credit Score
Even if the bank denies the dispute due to prior permission, ensure you pay the bill on time to avoid late fees. Timely payment protects your payment history, which accounts for roughly 35% of your overall credit score.

Lending money or credit to friends can work—but always limit permissions, monitor usage, and act swiftly if things go wrong.