How to Prepare for a Lost or Stolen Credit Card
If your credit card was lost or stolen tomorrow, would you know what to do?
Quick: what is the name of your credit card company and what is their contact information?
If you don’t know the answer to this question, you’re not alone. Many consumers simply don’t know who to call or what to do if their credit card was lost or stolen. And, unfortunately, not having this information on hand can end up costing you much more than a credit card.
Here are the steps to take if you simply can’t locate your credit card:
- Before you find yourself with a lost or stolen credit card, keep a list of all your credit cards, along with their numbers and contact information, in a safe place so that you have a reference to turn to.
- Take a deep breath and try to remember the last time you used your credit card and where you used it. Often times, we may misplace our card during a particularly hectic day and end up panicking when we can’t find it.
- If you have checked your home, your car and your personal property thoroughly and you are convinced that the card has either been lost or stolen, you will need to take immediate action and contact your credit card company. You must report your credit card missing or stolen so that you won’t be held responsible for all of the charges placed on your card.
- Get in the habit of carrying only one card with you at any given time to reduce the damage done by a credit card thief. If you are the victim of a pickpocket or mugging, you won’t have to deal with reporting multiple cards.
- Remain knowledgeable and know that credit card thieves may be able to steal your credit card information, even without stealing the card itself. Keep your credit card close at hand while shopping and only shop on trusted websites with secure servers.
- Check your credit report on an annual or semi-annual basis so that you can check for anything out of the ordinary on your credit report.
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