How to Cancel a Lost Credit Card Right Away
A lost credit card can drain your account in hours. Here is the plain way to cancel it fast and protect your money.
At a Glance
Take One Minute to Search the Most Likely Spots
~37sWarning
Do not spend an hour searching before calling. Every minute a missing card stays active is a minute a thief can spend your money. The bank can always unfreeze a card later if you find it.
Find the Bank's Phone Number
~38sQuick Tip
Save your bank's lost card number in your phone contacts under a name like "Chase Lost Card." That way, the next time something goes missing, the number is right there.
Call the Bank and Report the Card Lost
~39sWarning
Never give your full card number, Social Security number, or password to anyone who calls you first. You should always be the one who calls the bank, using a number from the back of a card or a statement.
Ask About Recent Charges and a New Card
~39sQuick Tip
Write down the agent's name, the date, the time, and a confirmation number on a piece of paper. If something goes wrong later, those notes are gold.
Watch the Account Online for Two Weeks
~37sWarning
Do not assume the thief used the card only once. Some thieves test a card with a small charge, like one dollar at a gas pump, then use it for big purchases days later. Check every charge, even tiny ones.
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A missing credit card is a stomach-dropping moment, but the good news is that quick action keeps your money safe. Federal law limits your loss to fifty dollars if you report a missing credit card before someone uses it, and most major banks waive that fifty dollars and charge you nothing at all. The single most important step is to call the bank the same hour you notice the card is gone. Every minute counts, because a thief with your card number can rack up charges at gas stations and online stores while you are still looking under the couch cushions.
Before you call, take one minute to look in the obvious places: the pocket of yesterday's coat, the car's center console, the kitchen counter, and the bag from your last shopping trip. If you find the card in five minutes of searching, no harm done. If you do not, stop searching and pick up the phone. The bank can always unfreeze a card later if you find it under the bed that evening. What the bank cannot do is undo charges made after a thief picks up your card from a parking lot.
The bank's phone number is on the back of any other card from the same bank, on a paper statement, or on the bank's website. If you cannot find it, call the customer service number on the back of your debit card from that bank, and they can transfer you. Tell the agent your card is lost or stolen. They will ask a few questions to confirm who you are, then cancel the old card number and mail a new one. The new card usually arrives in three to five business days. If you need a card sooner for travel, ask for rush shipping, which most banks offer for free in this situation.
After the card is cancelled, watch your account online for any charges you did not make. The bank will reverse fraudulent charges. But you have to point them out. Check the account every day for the next two weeks. Also check your other cards and bank accounts for any unusual activity, because a thief who finds one card may have other information too. A few minutes of careful watching catches problems early and keeps your money where it belongs.
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