Report the loss to your card issuer when ready
Call the phone number on the back of your statement or your issuer's website the moment you realize your card is missing. Do not wait until the next business day. Most issuers have 24/7 fraud lines specifically for this. When you call, have your account number ready if possible, though the issuer can usually pull it up with your name and date of birth.
The issuer will deactivate the card on the spot. This stops anyone from using it, even if they have it in their hands. The representative will ask you to confirm recent transactions to identify any fraudulent charges. Write down the name of the person you spoke with, the time you called, and your confirmation number — you will need this if disputes arise later.
If you cannot reach your issuer by phone, most have online chat or messaging options through their website or mobile app. Text-based reporting is slower than a phone call, but it creates a time-stamped record of when you reported the loss.
Key Takeaways
- Call your card issuer's fraud line as soon as you notice the card is missing; the number is on your statement or their website.
- The issuer will deactivate the card when ready, and you are not responsible for fraudulent charges reported within 60 days of the statement date they appear on.
- Request a replacement card during your initial call; most issuers mail a new card within 5 to 10 business days.
- Check your account statements weekly for the next two months and report any charges you did not make.
- If you need a card urgently, ask the issuer about expedited shipping or a temporary digital card option.
Understand your liability for fraudulent charges
Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized charges made with a lost or stolen card. If you report the loss before anyone uses the card, you owe nothing. If someone uses it before you report it, your liability depends on when you report the loss and when the charge appears on your statement.
Report the loss within 60 days of the statement date the fraudulent charge appears on, and you owe a maximum of $50 per card. Report it after 60 days, and you may owe the full amount of the fraudulent charge. This is why calling when ready matters — it establishes the date you reported the loss, which the issuer will use to calculate your liability.
Most major issuers go further and offer zero-liability policies, meaning you owe nothing for fraudulent charges regardless of when you report the loss. Check your cardholder agreement or call to confirm your issuer's policy. Even with zero-liability protection, report the loss promptly so the issuer can investigate and close the account.
Request a replacement card and temporary access
During your call to report the loss, ask the issuer to mail a replacement card. Standard shipping takes 5 to 10 business days. If you need to make purchases before the new card arrives, ask about expedited shipping options — some issuers offer next-day or two-day delivery for a fee, while others provide it at no charge.
Many issuers now offer a digital card option through their mobile app. This generates a temporary card number you can use when ready for online purchases and contactless payments at stores that accept mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. A digital card does not replace your physical card but keeps you from being without payment access while you wait for the replacement to arrive.
If you have automatic payments set up on the lost card — subscriptions, utility bills, loan payments — contact those merchants to update your payment method. Do not wait for the new card to arrive. Missed payments can damage your credit score even if the card itself was compromised.
Monitor your account for fraudulent activity
Check your account online or through the issuer's app at least once a week for the next two months. Look for charges you do not recognize, especially small ones under $10 that fraudsters sometimes test before making larger purchases. Report any suspicious charge to the issuer when ready, even if you think it might be a mistake.
When you report a fraudulent charge, the issuer will open a dispute. You will receive a temporary credit to your account while they investigate, usually within 10 business days. The investigation itself can take 30 to 60 days. During this time, the charge will show as disputed on your statement. Once the investigation concludes, the issuer will either confirm the charge as fraudulent and remove it permanently, or determine it was authorized and reverse the temporary credit.
Set up account alerts through your issuer's app or website. Most allow you to receive notifications for purchases over a certain amount, purchases in specific categories, or any purchase at all. Alerts give you real-time visibility into account activity and let you catch fraud faster.
Check your credit report for identity theft
A lost card can be a sign of identity theft if the card was stolen along with other documents or personal information. Request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through annualcreditreport.com. You are may have access to to one free report per bureau per year.
Review each report for accounts you did not open, inquiries from companies you did not contact, or addresses that are not yours. If you find signs of identity theft, place a fraud alert on your credit file by contacting one of the three bureaus. The alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. A fraud alert lasts one year and is free.
If you find evidence of identity theft beyond the lost card, consider placing a credit freeze. A freeze prevents anyone, including you, from opening new accounts using your Social Security number without your permission. You can place a freeze for free through each of the three bureaus' websites. You will need to lift the freeze temporarily if you want to open new credit yourself.
Update your payment methods across other accounts
If you use the lost card for online shopping, subscriptions, or bill payments, update those accounts with your new card number once it arrives. Do not wait for merchants to contact you. Outdated payment information can cause failed transactions and late fees.
For recurring charges — streaming services, gym memberships, insurance premiums — log into each account and update the card number in your payment settings. Some merchants will automatically update your card information if the issuer notifies them of the replacement, but this is not may provide. Taking action yourself ensures continuity.
If you used the card for online shopping sites where you saved the card details, log in and delete the old card information. Add the new card number if you plan to shop there again. This prevents accidental charges to the old card number if the site has not yet received the replacement notification from your issuer.
Decide whether to close the account
You do not have to close the account when your card is lost. The issuer deactivates only the physical card, not the account itself. Your new card will be linked to the same account number, and your credit history remains intact. Keeping the account open preserves your credit history length and available credit, both of which affect your credit score.
Close the account only if you no longer want the card or if you suspect the loss was part of a larger security breach. If you do close it, do so after the replacement card arrives and you have confirmed that all recurring charges have been moved to another payment method. Closing an account when ready after fraud can sometimes trigger additional fraud alerts, so timing matters.
If you decide to keep the account open, destroy the new card once it arrives if you no longer want to use it. Do not just throw it away — cut it up or shred it so the card number cannot be recovered from the trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my card while I am waiting for a replacement?
Not the physical card — it has been deactivated. But you can use a digital card through your issuer's mobile app for online purchases and mobile payments at most stores. If your issuer does not offer a digital card, ask about expedited shipping for the replacement physical card, which some issuers provide at no cost.
What if I find my card after I have reported it lost?
The card is permanently deactivated and cannot be used. Destroy it by cutting it up or shredding it. Continue using the replacement card the issuer sent you. Do not try to reactivate the old card.
Will a lost card hurt my credit score?
The loss itself does not hurt your score. Fraudulent charges that go unpaid or missed payments on automatic charges can hurt your score, which is why monitoring your account and updating payment methods matters. Your credit score should recover once fraudulent charges are removed and any missed payments are caught up.
How long does it take to get a replacement card?
Standard shipping usually takes 5 to 10 business days. Expedited options vary by issuer — some offer next-day or two-day delivery for a fee, while others provide it free. Ask your issuer about their options when you report the loss.
Do I need to file a police report for a lost card?
You do not need to file a police report for a lost card alone. File a report only if you suspect the card was stolen as part of a larger theft or if you find evidence of identity theft beyond the card. A police report creates an official record that can help if you need to dispute charges or prove you reported the loss.