What to Do If You Lose Your Debit Card

If you lose your debit card, quick action is vital to protect your bank account and avoid fraudulent transactions. What’s more, taking steps ASAP can help you avoid the headache of not being able to tap or swipe your way through your day — from buying coffee in the morning to paying at the supermarket on your way home from work.

Whether you’ve misplaced your card or believe it to be stolen, here’s what you need to know and do. Read on to learn the answers to:

•   What can happen if I lose my debit card?

•   What steps should I take if I lose my debit card?

•   Can I lose money if my debit card is stolen?

•   How can I get money if I lose my debit card?

What Can Happen If You Lose Your Debit Card?

Losing a debit card can temporarily leave you without convenient access to your bank account. However, it can also open you up to different types of bank fraud if someone finds your lost debit card and is able to use it to make purchases or withdraw cash.

You may wonder, What can someone do with my bank account number? And can they swipe with your piece of plastic? Whether someone is able to use your debit card to tap into the funds in your bank account can depend on whether they also have your PIN (or personal identification number) and where they try to use the card.

•   If you’ve written your PIN on the back of the card, which is generally something you shouldn’t do, the person who finds your debit card might be able to use it to buy things online or at a store or get cash at an ATM up to the ATM withdrawal limit.

•   If your card is enabled for tap to pay, they may not even need your PIN to make fraudulent purchases. While some cash registers that allow contactless payments require a PIN to complete the transaction, many do not. So someone could just tap your card to pay, potentially leaving you to foot the bill for those purchases.

Debit card cloning is also a possibility. When someone clones your debit card, they essentially make a copy of it that can be used to make purchases or withdraw cash. The card itself is counterfeit, but it works the same way as your legitimate bank card.

Steps to Take If You Lose Your Debit Card

Realizing your debit card has gone missing can leave you feeling a little panicky. However, it’s important to stay calm so you can rectify the situation and protect your sense of financial security. Here are the steps to take when dealing with a lost debit card.

•   Lock your card if possible. Your bank may allow you to lock your card through online or mobile banking. Locking your card right away can prevent anyone who finds it from using it to make unauthorized purchases or withdraw cash.

•   Report a lost debit card to your bank. If you believe your debit card is truly lost or has been stolen, rather than just hiding somewhere in your home or at the bottom of your bag, the next step is letting the bank know. You’ll need to call (or visit a branch) to cancel the card and request a replacement, which may take a week. Your bank may offer the option for expedited delivery (within two or three days) in exchange for a fee.

   Some banks may charge a small fee to replace the card, though many larger financial institutions will do so for free.

•   Confirm the debit card is lost in writing. A lost debit card can be an opportunity for thieves to snatch your money. Documenting the loss via an email or letter is important for minimizing your liability for any resulting losses.

•   Cancel automatic payments linked to the card. If you’ve scheduled any automatic transfers or bill payments using your debit card, you’ll need to cancel them. Once you receive your new debit card, you can update your payment information with your billers. Yes, it’s a hassle, but it’s a wise money management move.

•   Monitor your accounts. If you’re worried that someone might have used your debit card to make fraudulent transactions, it’s important to check your bank account activity daily. Look for any purchases you don’t remember making or any small deposits, aka micro deposits. These can indicate that someone is attempting to link your card to an outside bank account.

Recommended: Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

Can You Get Your Money Back If It Was Stolen?

Federal law determines what losses you’re liable for if your debit card is stolen and someone uses it to make fraudulent transactions. However, time is of the essence for limiting liability. It’s therefore important to report a lost debit card to your bank promptly.

Here’s how much you might be liable for, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), depending on when you report the loss.

These limits also apply to lost ATM cards as well. So again, the most important thing you can do when dealing with a lost debit card is to report it to your bank as soon as possible.

How Can You Get Cash When You’ve Lost Your Debit Card?

I lost my debit card. How can I get money?

That’s a good question (and often a pressing one), and the answer can depend on whether you bank at a traditional bank vs. an online bank. If you keep your checking and savings accounts at a brick-and-mortar bank or credit union, you should still be able to withdraw cash at a teller window during normal business hours. You could also write paper checks to pay bills or make purchases temporarily.

If you have accounts at an online bank, then you may be limited to transferring funds from your online account to a linked account at a traditional bank. You could also use a mobile payment app to make purchases or send money to friends and family if you’ve linked it to your bank account.

At some banks, you may be able to get a digital version of your replacement debit card to use until the plastic version arrives. It’s worthwhile to ask about that possibility.

Tips for Keeping Your Debit Card Safe

Taking steps to protect your debit card can minimize the odds of it being lost or stolen. Being proactive can also help you spot potential identity theft or fraud before someone is able to clean out your bank accounts.

Here are a few tips for keeping your debit card safe.

•   Leave your debit card at home in a secure location if you won’t need it while you’re out and about.

•   Don’t share your PIN with anyone and don’t write it on the back of your debit card.

•   Consider linking your card to a mobile wallet app so you won’t need to have it physically with you to make purchases.

•   Use caution when using a debit card online to make purchases. Only shop with trusted sites that encrypt your financial information.

•   Monitor your bank accounts regularly to look for any suspicious activity.

•   Consider setting up bank account alerts or notifications to let you know when new transactions occur.

•   Ask your bank if cardless withdrawal is an option, which allows you to get money at the ATM without having to present your card.

•   Think about using credit cards in place of your debit card as credit cards can offer greater protections against fraud and unauthorized charges.

What is a debit card good for? Quite a lot, when you think about it. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re keeping your card protected.

The Takeaway

A debit card can make managing your finances easier, but if you lose your card, quick action is vital. Taking steps to secure your account will help ward off loss if the card has been stolen. The sooner you report the loss, the sooner you will also be on your way to getting a replacement and restoring access to your account and funds.

Choosing the right bank also matters. The best bank accounts offer easy access to funds when you need them while keeping the fees to a minimum. When you open an online bank account with SoFi, you’ll enjoy those benefits. Our Checking and Savings account lets you spend and save in one convenient place; offers a competitive annual percentage yield (APY); and charges no account fees. It’s a great way to bank smarter and help your savings grow faster.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a new debit card if you lost it?

It can take seven business days or more to receive a new debit card if yours is lost. You may be able to get your card faster (in a couple of days) if you request expedited delivery, though you might need to pay a fee. Some banks offer digital versions of your debit card that you can use while you wait for a replacement.

Can someone use my debit card if I lost it?

Someone might be able to use your lost debit card if they know your PIN or the card is enabled for contactless payments. They may also be able to clone the card to use it for fraudulent transactions. For those reasons, it’s important to freeze, lock, or cancel your card as soon as you realize it’s lost.

How much does it cost if you lose your debit card?

Banks can charge a fee to replace a lost or stolen debit card. The amount you’ll pay can depend on the bank and whether you choose an expedited or rush delivery option. At some banks, there is no charge to replace a lost debit card, but at others you might pay a small fee.

Will a replacement debit card have the same number?

If you’re replacing a stolen or lost debit card, the new card will have a different number, expiration date, and three-digit security code. If you’re getting a replacement debit card because your old card has expired, the number on the card will be the same, but the expiration date and three-digit security code on the bank will be different.

Photo credit: iStock/Delmaine Donson

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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