Lost Credit Card? Here’s What to Do
5 Min Read | Last updated: October 31, 2024
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
It’s not always possible to find a lost credit card. The good news is that getting a replacement card is usually a simple, straightforward process. Here’s what to do.
At-A-Glance
- Temporarily freezing your credit card gives you time to look for it without risking fraudulent charges.
- If your card is officially lost or stolen, you can quickly report it to the card issuer and request a new one, either online or by phone.
- Some card issuers have a $0 liability clause for fraudulent purchases.
Lost your credit card? It can happen to the best of us. Whether you misplaced your wallet or left your tab open at a bar out of town, as soon as you notice your card is missing, it’s time to take action. Being proactive is the best way to avoid or minimize fraudulent charges, protect your identity, and get back to normalcy as soon as possible.
If You Lost Your Credit Card, Should You Notify the Card Issuer Right Away?
Yes! But first, you may want to retrace your steps to see if you left it at a local store or restaurant. If you cannot locate your card, you’ll want to notify your credit card issuer as soon as possible. But depending on the circumstance, you might not want to go through the potential hassle that comes with ordering a replacement only to find it under the seat of your car a few hours later or on your desk at work the next day.
If you think your card might be secure and nearby, it might make sense to see if your card issuer allows you to temporarily lock or freeze it. Doing so can give you time to make sure the physical card is actually lost, without risking fraudulent purchases should it make its way into the wrong hands.
With a freeze or lock, your credit card issuer will allow you to temporarily block new purchases, both in person and online, for a set amount of days or until you unfreeze them. You can usually find the feature by logging into your account, either on the card issuer’s website or mobile app.1 Be sure to find out whether freezing your credit card will interfere with recurring payments, such as subscriptions or monthly bills, or your ability to use your digital wallet.
If you find your card, you can unfreeze it on the website or app.
When to Notify the Card Issuer and Order a Replacement
If your card issuer doesn’t allow a temporary freeze, or if you have confirmation that the card is indeed lost or stolen, it’s time to notify the issuer and order a replacement. The process can usually be done online or via phone, and card issuers tend to make it as simple and straightforward as possible.
In your online account, you can typically find an option to “report a lost or stolen card” or “request a replacement card.” Simply click the option you need and follow the instructions from there.
On the phone, you might be asked a few personal questions to confirm your identity, such as birth date or the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN). You can find the customer service number on your card issuer’s website, on your monthly statement, or, if you have another card from the same issuer, on the back of that card.
There are usually no fees for requesting a replacement credit card, although you may have to pay an expedited shipping fee if you need it in a hurry.
It’s also a good idea to draft a letter to your credit card issuer, even if you’ve reported a stolen or lost card via phone or mobile app, so there’s an additional report in writing. And make sure to keep a copy of the letter for your records. You’ll want to include the following information in your letter:
- General information such as card/account number
- When you lost the card or the card was stolen
- The date and time you originally reported it missing
You should also send a letter to the credit card company if you notice a fraudulent charge on your account.5
Got Your Credit Card Replacement, Now What?
When you report your credit card lost or stolen, cancel that card, and order a replacement, the card issuer will generate a new card. The new card usually has a new number, expiration date, and card verification value (CVV). Canceling the card doesn’t mean your account is being canceled. Instead, it means that if someone tries to charge something on your now-lost credit card, the old number will no longer work, thereby protecting you from fraud.
However, this can also mean that if you've set up recurring payments or have your card info saved with online merchants, those payments might not go through. Check with your credit card issuer to see if it will continue to honor recurring payments after a replacement. You may also want to update your credit card information with merchants and contact your card issuer with any questions.
This may also apply to digital wallets. For example, Google notes that if you had the old credit card in your Google Wallet, some card issuers will automatically update your card information as soon as a replacement card is used.2 If this is the case, you can continue to make transactions with your digital wallet while you’re waiting for the replacement to be delivered.
Even after you receive your replacement card, be sure to closely examine your statement for the next billing cycle. Keep an eye out for any discrepancies or unauthorized charges.
What to Do About Fraudulent Charges on a Lost Credit Card
If you find any discrepancies or fraudulent charges, notify your card issuer immediately. The good news is that the most you will owe for unauthorized card charges is $50, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).3
The better news is that some card issuers offer $0 fraud liability, but you may need to take steps to be protected, such as reporting the card as lost or stolen and reporting the fraud as soon as it’s noticed. It’s a good idea to check with your card issuer to confirm any fraud liability stipulations.4
Steps to Protect Your Account Information
Never share your account information and keep your card in a secure place, especially if it is not kept in your wallet at all times. You may also want to set up a two-factor or multi-factor authentication to help safeguard your account — using a texted passcode or scan of your face as additional security, for example.5
Another step you can take is to cut up any old cards related to your account. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you’ll want to:
- Cut through the magnetic strip
- Cut through the entire account number
- Cut through the security code
- Dispose of the cut up card in different garbage bags and throw away5
Keep an Eye on Your Accounts and Credit Reports
Make sure to check in with your renters or homeowner’s insurance to see if they cover stolen credit cards. It may be possible to add credit card theft protection to your renters or homeowner’s insurance policy, so you’ll want to contact your insurance agent or insurance provider as soon as possible.5
You’ll also want to check your credit reports5, an overview of your credit history6, to track any fraudulent charges. You can request your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) or you can check AnnualCreditReport.com.5
What to Do If You Lost Your American Express Credit Card
If your card was lost or stolen, it’s quick, easy, and free to request a replacement card online with American Express — and you can receive it the next day via free next day shipping. You can contact us by phone or through your online account to replace your card.
If you’re no longer in possession of your card, and once you’ve made an online card replacement request, American Express will immediately cancel your existing card and issue a replacement. Canceling your card will make your current card invalid and will not cancel your American Express account.
And you don’t have to worry about updating recurring payments with online merchants or bill payments (unless you’re asked to do so). Plus, if your American Express credit card is added to a digital wallet, your new card information will be automatically updated when a replacement card is requested.
Additionally, you are not liable for fraudulent purchases as an American Express cardholder. You can take measures to secure your account and monitor your purchases in your online account.
The Takeaway
Although losing a credit card is undeniably a nuisance, most card issuers make it easy to freeze your account or request a replacement. If you need a replacement, make sure that any recurring payments and stored payment information are updated if needed. Review your next few statements with extra care and report any fraud as soon as possible.
1 “What Happens When You Lock Your Credit Card?,” Experian
2 “Manage payment methods added to the Google Wallet app,” Google Wallet
3 “Am I responsible for unauthorized charges if my credit cards are lost or stolen?,” Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
4 “What Is Zero Liability Fraud Protection?,” Experian
5 “Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards,” Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
6 “Free Credit Reports,” Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Megan Doyle is a business technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and intended for U.S. residents and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors.
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