DictionaryMoney

Unauthorized transaction: what it means

An unauthorized transaction is a charge or withdrawal from your account that you did not make or allow. Under Regulation E, an unauthorized electronic fund transfer is one started by someone else without actual authority and from which you get no benefit.

In Spanish it is

Transacción no autorizada (unauthorized transaction)

Also written as: unauthorized electronic fund transfer · unauthorized transfer

A pregnant woman takes groceries out of the car in front of her garage.

Verified on October 17, 2026

2 official sources

See the whole dictionary

The full explanation

Electronic transfers include ATM withdrawals, debit card purchases, some online bill payments and automatic payments. It does not count if you gave that person your card and did not tell the bank they are no longer allowed to use it. Tell your bank as soon as possible: how much you may have to pay depends on when you report it.

An example

Marta sees an ATM withdrawal in another city on her bank statement. She did not make it and still has her card. She calls the bank that same day to report it.

You will see it in…

Your bank or credit union statement
Your bank's text or email alerts
Your bank's claim form

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

What a housing counselor does See free help

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

1. Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) · 12 CFR § 1005.2(m): unauthorized electronic fund transfer (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
2. CFPB · How do I get my money back after I discover an unauthorized transaction or money missing from my bank account? (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026