is for you to directly contact the bank, i.e. the phone number on the back of your credit card.

Of course if they didn't ask for any personal information, it probably is legit.

It is normal for credit card companies to call if they see an unexpected charge appear, and they usually just ask if a specific charge was valid

There are so many scammers out there now.

not because it was such a large sum to be charged but because most of my other charges usually happen at Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins etc...

You win our great appreciation for all your interesting & informative posts here on DU. For real!

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for a bank to check on unusual withdrawals.

Got a phone call, bank wanted to speak to my wife. There had been a withdrawal on her card in Vietnam.

Perfectly normal, I said, because my wife is currently in Vietnam.

Good that they flag unusual card activity, though.

I even berated -- like a fool -- a customer service rep who called while I was Christmas shopping. Came the light and I understood the actual service the banks and cc companies provide by checking on the legitimacy of large purchases. Now I thank whoever contacts me -- and silently beg forgiveness for my oafishness with the poor guy who, years ago, called to make sure someone else wasn't spending a ton of money on my credit.

That's one thing I love about my bank. They know my patterns. They'll shut my card down in a heartbeat. I usually get a text to respond yes or no. If I respond no, my card is shut down.