A lost or stolen card: what to do in the first hour

Losing a wallet is stressful, but a card is easier to fix than most people think. The order of actions matters more than speed alone.

Your first hour

1. 1

   Freeze the card

   Use the bank's app to lock or freeze it. This is usually instant and can be undone if the card turns up.

2. 2

   Call the issuer

   Use the number on its website or app. Report the card as lost or stolen and ask for it to be cancelled and replaced.

3. 3

   Review recent activity

   Look at the last transactions. Tell the bank about any you do not recognize, and ask for them to be disputed.

4. 4

   Update what depends on the card

   Subscriptions, wallets and online shops that store the number need the new card details.

5. 5

   Protect related accounts

   If your phone or ID was taken as well, change passwords and see two-factor sign-in.

1. Minutes

   Freeze and call

   Stop new charges, and report the loss.

2. Same day

   Check activity

   List suspicious charges and dispute them.

3. 1 to 5 days

   Replacement arrives

   Many issuers also supply a temporary digital card.

4. Next statement

   Review again

   Make sure no later charges slip through.

Why speed matters

$50

Typical cap on credit-card losses

United States

2 days

Report a lost debit card within this time

Business days

60 days

After this, a debit loss may be unlimited

From the statement

Replacing a card abroad

• Ask the issuer

  Many offer emergency delivery or a cash advance for travellers.

• Use your backup

  Another card from a different bank keeps you moving.

• Phone wallet

  A card added to your wallet may still work while the plastic is gone.

• Report to the police

  A report can help with insurance and some disputes.

Common mistakes

• Waiting to see if the card turns up. Freeze it first; you can unfreeze it later.

• Calling a number from a search result. Use the number on the issuer's website or app.

• Forgetting linked services. Phone wallets, subscriptions and ride apps may still hold the old card.

• Not keeping a record. Note the time of your report, the name of the agent and the reference number.

What to carry with you

• A second card, kept in a different place.

• The issuer's lost-card number, saved in your phone and on paper.

• A little cash, for the day the cards are blocked.

After the emergency, take ten minutes to tidy up: update your saved cards, add the new card to your phone wallet and note the date. A calm routine turns a scary event into a small chore.