How do fraudulent charges affect my credit utilization ratio?

Fraudulent charges on a credit card will not affect the credit utilization ratio directly as long as the disputed charges are removed from the account before the credit card issuer reports the balance to the credit bureaus. Credit utilization is calculated based on the balance reported to the credit bureaus, which is typically the statement balance at the end of each billing cycle. If fraudulent charges are not removed in time, and they push the balance over the credit limit or increase the utilization ratio, it can have a negative impact on the credit score. However, once the charges are removed, the credit utilization ratio should revert to its previous level, assuming no other charges or payments have been made. It's important to monitor credit reports closely after any fraudulent activity to ensure that any impact is corrected promptly.