Lost Credit Card? Here’s What You Need to Do Next

Losing a credit card is the worst nightmare for every middle-class Indian citizen, as it attacks the applicant’s financial security and threatens potential fraudulent transactions. These unauthorised transactions can land you in huge trouble and ruin your perfect credit score. Here is a guide to follow if you are in this terrible situation and don’t know what to do next. By following these steps, you can minimise the potential damage and restore peace of mind by getting free from any faulty charges/ bills.

Steps To Follow When You Lose Your Credit Card

Follow these steps if you have lost your credit card anywhere and don’t want a third party to take advantage of it.

Block Your Credit Card

The first action after discovering that your credit card has been lost or stolen is to block it. You can use your respective banks’ net banking application or go directly to the nearest bank branch. The bank will shut the credit card and ensure that no one can make payments from it. Many banks immediately take responsibility for charges made without your permission and authorise a new card within 7 to 14 days.

File A Police Complaint

After ensuring the bank has blocked your credit card, file an official complaint and go to the nearest police station FIR to protect yourself from fraudulent activity from your official banking account. You won’t be associated with the credit card account number and any illegal items purchased with it.

Check The Card’s History

Keep a tab on the credit card bill and credit score for the month to ensure your score is not affected by theft/ stolen credit card. You must notify the bank of the lost credit card within a set time frame, or the fraudulent charges will be payable by you. If you notice suspicious activity on your new/ old credit card that you are doubtful of, inform your credit agency.

How to Block A PNB Credit Card?

There are multiple ways to block a PNB Credit Card, including:

• Via Netbanking: Log in to your PNB Net Banking account and click on the ATM/Debit Card Hotlisting option under the Value Added Service dropdown. Select the card number and enter your transaction password to hotlist/ block your credit card.
• Via Mobile Application: Log in to the PNB One App and select the Hotlist Credit Card option. Enter your credit card number and transaction ID to block the card.
• Via Customer Care: To ask for credit card blocking, you can call PNB’s 24/7 customer service at 1800 180 2222 and 1800 103 2222. You can also send an SMS to 5607040 from your registered mobile number in the format Hot[Space]Card Number. Alternatively, you can reach out to your nearest PNB Branch.

How to Block An ICICI Credit Card?

Similarly, you take multiple courses of action to block an ICICI Credit Card, including:

• Via Netbanking: Go to the official website of ICICI Bank and log in using your correct user ID and password. Then select the ‘Credit Card’ option and click the ‘Block’ button after choosing the lost card number. Your card will be blocked immediately.
• Via Mobile Application: Log in to your ID, go to the Services portal, and tap on Card Services. Select the Block Credit Card option and confirm why the respective credit card is blocked. Click ‘Submit’ to block the card immediately.
• Call Customer Care: The owner of the lost credit card can call the customer service number 1860 120 7777 to inform them about the situation and ask them to block the card. You might have to verify your identity and answer some personal questions. You can also apply for a new credit card.

How to Block An HDFC Credit Card?

Blocking an HDFC Credit Card is an extremely easy and quick process, which can done by multiple methods. These include:

• Net Banking: Go to the official HDFC website and log in using your correct credentials. Under the ‘Credit Cards’ category, select the correct credit card to be blocked, and then click submit. Your lost credit card will be blocked immediately.
• Via WhatsApp/ SMS: You can send an SMS to the number 7308080808 in the format [Block CC Last Four Digits Of Your Card] using your registered phone number. You can also use WhatsApp ‘ Hotlist Card’ on the number 70700 22222, and the option for hotlisting the number will be displayed on the screen.
• Via Mobile Banking: Go to the bank’s mobile banking page and select Pay. Then click on Credit Cards and choose which card you want to block. Click on that option near the card number, and your lost credit card will be blocked immediately.

How to Block An Axis Credit Card?

Here are multiple ways of blocking an Axis Credit Card:

• Via Official Website: Go to Axis Bank’s official website and select the Support Home Page. Click on the Block & Replace Your Debit/Credit Card option and type in your registered mobile number. After that, you must enter an OTP on the website. Choose which card you want to block, and it will be done immediately.
• Via Mobile App: Log in to your Axis Mobile Banking application and select Menu. Tap in the Services and Support column and click on Credit Cards: Block & Replace. Then, choose the card you want to block, and your new credit card will automatically be reissued.
• Via Internet Banking: Login to your Axis bank account and Click on My Credit Cards or My Debit Cards. Select the Block Card option and enter some details about your bank account. Type in an OTP received after that, and your card will be blocked.

Winding Up

In matters of lost credit cards, time is of the essence. The more delay you make in reporting the situation, the more likely you will be obligated to pay the bills for credit card theft. You can mitigate the risks associated with a lost card by immediately reporting it to your bank, blocking the card to prevent unauthorised transactions, and monitoring your account activity. It will also help you protect your credit score and resume normal transactions with a new card within a couple of days. These small steps will safeguard your financial health and help you maintain peace of mind.