Lost your debit card? 5 quick steps to take

It is a heart-stopping moment when you reach for your wallet and find your debit card missing. Panic sets in fast. In a world where a little plastic card holds such financial power, losing it seems like a nightmare. Whether it slipped out of your pocket during a busy day or was misplaced in your home, the anxiety of losing it can be overwhelming. However, immediate action can minimise risk and save you from potential financial chaos. 

Discussed below are five practical ways to deal with a lost debit card.

Step 1: Retrace your steps
 

Try recalling the last location where you used the card. It might be a grocery store, petrol pump, or even a local tea stall. After identifying that place, visit it as soon as possible. Scan all corners and talk to staff members or people nearby. Many times, people hand over lost items to shopkeepers. By retracing your steps, you get a chance to recover your card right where you misplaced it.

Step 2: Connect with customer support
 

The second you realise your card is missing, ring up your bank's helpline and temporary block your debit card. This action immediately restricts any further transactions on your card. Remember to follow any additional instructions provided by the bank to ensure a thorough investigation and resolution of the situation.

Steps to block your IDFC FIRST Bank debit card:

Step 1 – Open the IDFC FIRST Bank mobile banking app and go to the “Cards” tab under the “Accounts” section.

Step 2 – Choose the debit card you wish you to block and select either the “Temporarily Block/Unblock” or the “Permanently Block/Unblock” option.

You can also block or unblock your card by contacting the nearest IDFC FIRST Bank branch or by calling the toll-free number – 1800 10 888. 

Step 3: Search your home and car
 

Cards often get lost in the most obvious places, and many often tend to overlook them. Check the folds of your sofa, the little pockets of your bags, and the glove box in your car. Make a list of places you frequently visit within your home. Even if it sounds tedious, go through the list meticulously. 

Step 4: File a police report
 

When you file an official report, you protect yourself from potential legal implications that could come from someone else using your card. Moreover, many people hand over lost items to the police. Therefore, there's a possibility that your lost debit card might be sitting safely at the police station, just waiting for you to claim it.

Step 5: Debit card hotlisting
 

If you cannot locate your debit card and you have a substantial balance, contact your bank and request for it to be hotlisted. To understand the hotlisted card meaning, think of it this way – your bank has put a permanent stop on all transactions and withdrawals from that specific debit card. Any attempt to use the card for purchases or cash withdrawals will be denied by the bank's systems. Since this feature permanently blocks your card, even if someone finds or steals your lost card, they won't be able to access your funds or make unauthorised purchases.

IDFC FIRST Bank also offers debit card insurance policies covering lost card liability (counterfeit, skimming, and online fraud). Take a look at the table given below to know the coverage offered on its debit cards:

Final remark
 

Losing a debit card need not be an end-of-the-world scenario. Quick action can save the day. Retrace your steps, speak with customer support, submit a request for a temporary/permanent block, conduct a home search, use your banking app, and file a police report if needed. Each of these steps offers you a good chance of recovering your card, or at least keeps your hard-earned money secure.

With IDFC FIRST Bank Savings Account, the process to bounce back from such unfortunate incidents is streamlined and efficient. You can easily apply for a duplicate debit card, and the bank ensures you receive it within a few working days. If you are wondering how to check your ATM card status after placing a request, simply visit the net banking portal of your bank and track the status of your new card through the tracking number. With enhanced security features, insurance benefits, cashback, rewards, and various discounts, IDFC FIRST BANK savings accounts give you the freedom to handle daily transactions effortlessly.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.