Answers About Lost or Stolen Credit Cards
Select from the following questions about lost or stolen credit cards.My credit card has been stolen/lost. What should I do?
It is critical that you report the loss or theft of your credit cards to the card issuers as quickly as possible. This is true for both your personal and business-purpose credit cards.
Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. Credit card issuers often place instructions for reporting lost or stolen cards on your monthly statement. Follow those instructions.
It's a good idea to follow up each phone call with a letter. Include the following information:
- your account number,
- when you noticed your card was missing, and
- the date you first reported the loss.
Be sure to send the letter to the address the credit card issuer designates for reporting lost or stolen cards, which may be same as for billing errors. Do not send it with a payment—or to the address where you send your payments—unless directed to do so.
If you report the loss before your credit cards are used, the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges. If there is unauthorized use of your cards before you report them missing, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card.
Also, if the loss involves your credit card number, but not the card itself, you have no liability for unauthorized use.
After the loss, review your billing statements carefully. If they show any unauthorized charges, it's best to write a letter to the card issuer describing each unauthorized charge. Again, tell the card issuer the information noted in the three bullets above. Be sure to send the letter to the address provided for billing errors.
March 2010
My business-purpose credit card has been lost/stolen. Am I responsible for unauthorized charges?
Maybe.
You, the employee, may be responsible for the unauthorized use of your business-purpose credit card by a third party. However, if you report the loss or theft before your business-purpose credit card is used by a third party, the card issuer and/or your employer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized charges. If the unauthorized user uses your cards before you report them lost or stolen, the most you will owe for unauthorized charges is $50 per card.
These limitations on your liability apply only if a third party uses your card. If you use the card in an unauthorized manner, you are responsible for all charges.
March 2010
Phone: 800-613-6743
TDD Number 713-658-0340
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