Federal Trade Commission | consumer.ftc.gov

Lost or Stolen 

Credit, ATM, 

and Debit Cards

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Report Loss or Theft Immediately

Acting fast limits your liability for charges you didn’t 

authorize. Report the loss or theft of your card to the card 

issuer as quickly as possible. Many companies have tollfree numbers and 24-hour service for such emergencies. 

Once you report the loss of your ATM or debit card, 

federal law says you cannot be held liable for unauthorized 

transfers that occur after that time.

● Follow up with a letter or email. Include your 

account number, the date and time when you noticed 

your card was missing, and when you first reported 

the loss.

● Check your card statement carefully for 

transactions you didn’t make. Report these 

transactions to the card issuer as quickly as possible. 

Be sure to send the letter to the address provided for 

billing errors.

● Check if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance 

policy covers your liability for card thefts. If not, 

some insurance companies will allow you to change 

your policy to include this protection.

If your credit, ATM, or debit card is lost or stolen, federal 

law limits your liability for unauthorized charges. Your 

protection against unauthorized charges depends on the 

type of card — and when you report the loss.
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How to Report Fraudulent Transactions

Contact your ATM or debit card issuer.

 Report the fraudulent transaction.

Act as soon as you discover a withdrawal or 

purchase you didn’t make.

Write a follow up letter to confirm that 

you reported the problem.

 Keep a copy of your letter.

 Send it by certified mail and ask for a return 

receipt.

Update your files.

 Record the dates you made calls or sent 

letters.

 Keep copies of letters in your files.

How to Limit Your Losses

The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic 

Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) offer protection if your credit, 

ATM, or debit cards are lost or stolen.

Credit Card Loss or Fraudulent Charges

Under the FCBA, your liability for unauthorized use of 

your credit card tops out at $50. However, if you report the 

loss before your credit card is used, the FCBA says you 
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are not responsible for any charges you didn’t authorize. If 

your credit card number is stolen, but not the card, you are 

not liable for unauthorized use.

ATM or Debit Card Loss or Fraudulent 

Transfers

If you report an ATM or debit card missing before someone 

uses it, the EFTA says you are not responsible for any 

unauthorized transactions. If someone uses your ATM or 

debit card before you report it lost or stolen, your liability 

depends on how quickly you report it:

If you report: Your maximum loss:

Before any unauthorized 

charges are made.

$0

Within 2 business days after 

you learn about the loss or 

theft.

$50

More than 2 business days 

after you learn about the 

loss or theft, but less than 

60 calendar days after your 

statement is sent to you.

$500

More than 60 calendar days 

after your statement is sent 

to you.

All the money taken from your 

ATM/debit card acount, and 

possibly more; for example, 

money in accounts linked to 

your debit account.

If someone makes unauthorized transactions with your 

debit card number, but your card is not lost, you are not 

liable for those transactions if you report them within 60 

days of your statement being sent to you.
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How to Protect Your Cards and Account 

Information

For Credit and ATM or Debit Cards

● Don’t disclose your account number over the phone 

unless you initiate the call.

● Guard your account information. Never leave it 

out in the open or write it on an envelope.

● Keep a record of your account numbers, expiration 

dates, and the telephone numbers of each card issuer 

so you can report a loss quickly.

● Draw a line through blank spaces on charge or debit 

slips above the total so the amount can’t be changed.

● Don’t sign a blank charge or debit slip.

● Tear up copies and save your receipts to check 

against your monthly statements.

● Cut up old cards — cutting through the account 

number — before you throw them away.

● Open your monthly statements promptly and 

compare them to your receipts. Report mistakes or 

discrepancies as soon as possible.

● Carry only the cards you’ll need. 

For ATM or Debit Cards

● Don’t carry your PIN in your wallet, purse, or 

pocket — or write it on your ATM or debit card. 

Commit it to memory.
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● Never write your PIN on the outside of a deposit 

slip, an envelope, or other papers that could be lost or 

looked at.

● Carefully check your ATM or debit card 

transactions; the funds for this item will be quickly 

transferred out of your checking or other deposit 

account.

● Periodically check your account activity, especially 

if you bank online. Compare the current balance 

and transactions on your statement to those you’ve 

recorded. Report any discrepancies to your card 

issuer immediately.

For More Information

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and 

unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide 

information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. 

To file a complaint or get free information on consumer 

issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP 

(1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. 

Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at 

consumer.ftc.gov/media to learn more. The FTC enters 

consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, 

a secure online database and investigative tool used by 

hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in 

the U.S. and abroad. 
Federal Trade Commission

consumer.ftc.gov

August 2012