Lost or Stolen Debit Card? Here's What to Do.

When your debit card is lost or stolen, it's easy to watch your financial future flash before your eyes. Your rent money, your next vacation, your savings—all of it is suddenly at risk. Scary, right?

It doesn't have to be. A little preparation can help you react quickly and efficiently. If you realize your debit card is missing, here's what to do. (P.S. These tips work for credit cards, too!)

1. Cancel—or freeze—the card
   Immediately call your credit union or bank to cancel the debit card. If you think you've simply misplaced the card in a purse or pair of jeans, ask if you can temporarily freeze the card until you find it.

   Or, use your institution's official website or mobile app to cancel or freeze the card, especially if it’s after-hours. Most should be able to help you within a matter of minutes.

   Get written confirmation that you’re locking or canceling the card, either in letter or email form. It could come in handy if you need to dispute any charges made to your account.

2. Get a new card
   If you visit a branch in person, your credit union or bank may be able to print a new debit card within minutes. If that's not an option, you should be able to call customer service or use the mobile app to request a new card by mail. How long will it take to get a replacement debit card? Most likely, just a few business days—same with credit cards—however, you may be charged a fee, especially if you request rush delivery.

3. Check your records
   As you wait for your replacement debit card, try a little detective work. Look through your financial accounts, identify any charges that don’t look familiar and make note of them. Then, check your credit score and contact the national credit bureaus with any concerns.

   If you notice any unusual activity, notify your credit union or bank immediately. If you are a Mountain America member, take advantage of our simple fraud and dispute reporting tool available right in our mobile app. You can find it under More > Accounts > Transaction Disputes.

   The Federal Trade Commission also recommends you check to see if your homeowners or renters insurance policy covers your liability for card thefts. If not, some insurance companies will allow you to change your policy to include this protection.

   Perhaps the most dreaded task of debit card replacement is updating all of your digital recurring payments. If you haven’t received your new card yet and a payment is scheduled soon, contact the service vendor and ask if you can put a temporary hold on incoming charges. Having a letter or email from your credit union or bank will come in handy here.

   Check your previous account statements to determine which recurring payments come from your checking account (or credit card account) and what, if any, online stores, streaming services or other expenses you'll need to update.

4. Get prepared
   As you’re taking stock of your finances, make note of all the steps you've taken and then create a game plan for the next time around.

   Choose a new PIN number. Two ways to make a better PIN—(1) Pick a random word, like blackberry or supercharge. Translate the letters to numbers using a keypad for reference or, (2) craft a sentence and use just the first letter of each word, then translate the letters to numbers.

   Check your records regularly. Understand your automatic payment schedule and keep track of expenses so you can recognize any unusual or fraudulent charges faster.

   Finally, make note of how your financial institution handles a missing or stolen debit card. Write down which point of contact was helpful and what information you needed. This will empower you to handle the next card crisis calmly and quickly.

If you haven't already, fill out a debit card application with Mountain America Credit Union and find out how easy it can be to buy the things you need.