As we move towards a cashless economy, credit cards are becoming very prominent in our lives. Most of us not only use credit cards for online transactions but also carry them in our wallets as they make offline transactions a lot more convenient and hassle-free. With convenience also comes risk, the risk of losing the credit card. Losing your credit card can be a financial nightmare, as in case your card ends up in the wrong hands, your entire credit limit is at complete disposal. You might not only incur a huge debt, but your credit profile will also suffer.
The good news, however, is that almost all credit card issuers in India offer credit card loss liability protection to cardholders. According to the terms of this protection, the cardholder is not liable for any fraudulent transactions made with the card after reporting the loss of the card to the card issuer. For this reason, you should report the loss of your card to your card issuer as soon as possible. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process of what to do when you realize your credit card is lost.
Inform the Card Issuer
The first step is to contact your bank or card issuer as soon as you realize your credit card is missing or misplaced, and have it blocked so that it cannot be used for any further transactions. Most card issuers allow you to block your credit card via net-banking, SMS, or by dialing the card issuer’s customer care number. The procedure for blocking your credit card with some of the largest card issuers in the country is as follows.
How to Block an HDFC Credit Card If Lost/Stolen?
You may get your HDFC Bank Credit Card blocked in the following ways:
- Via Phone Banking: Dial the bank’s 24/7 toll-free customer care number: 1800 1600/1800 2600, which is accessible throughout India.
- Via SMS: Text “Block CC ****” to 7308080808, followed by the last four digits of your card.
- Via HDFC Bank Net Banking: Log in to your HDFC NetBanking account using your Netbanking ID and password. Click on the “Credit Cards” tab, then select “Credit Card Hotlisting.” You’ll see a list of all your HDFC credit cards. Choose the credit card you lost and the reason for hotlisting. Indicate if you want a reissued card.
- In Person: By visiting the nearest HDFC Branch to report the credit card as lost or stolen
- Via WhatsApp Banking: Send a text to 70700 22222; type “Hotlist Card” and options will be displayed for hotlisting.
- Via Chatbot: Visit HDFC’s website, click the EVA icon, select Credit Card Service, and choose Block Card.
What to Do If Your SBI Credit Card Is Lost or Stolen?
You can block your SBI Credit Card in the following ways:
- Via SMS: SMS BLOCK <last four digits of your card number> to 5676791.
- Via Helpline Number: 1860 180 1290 (available 24/7 toll-free) or 39020202 (prefixing the STD code).
- In Person: You can also get your credit card blocked offline by reporting the loss of the card at your nearest SBI branch.
- Via Net Banking: Access your SBI Card account, navigate to the Services tab, choose the Report lost/stolen card option, and enter the card number you want to block.
Methods to Block Your ICICI Credit Card
You can get your ICICI Credit Card blocked-
- Via Helpline: By dialing the bank’s 24/7 customer care number: 1860 120 7777.
- Via Net Banking: Log in to the ICICI Bank internet banking portal. Go to the “My Accounts” section on the page that opens. Now, click on the “Credit Cards” option. Then, select the “Block your Credit card- Instant deactivation” option. Enter the card number you wish to block and click ‘Submit’.
- Via the iMobile Pay App: Log in to the iMobile Pay app with your 4-digit PIN. Choose the Credit Cards option from the menu. Select the card you want to block. Click on the Block Card option and submit your request.
How to Block Your Axis Bank When Lost/Stolen?
You can report the loss of your Axis Bank Credit Card.
- Via Helpline: Call 1860 419 5555 or 1860 500 5555.
- Via SMS: Send BLOCK <16-digit card number> to 5676782.
- Via Internet Banking: Log in to your Axis Bank internet banking account using your net banking user ID and password. Select the “Accounts” option. Then, click on the “My Cards” option on the page that opens. Choose the card you want to block from the list of cards that appears. Enter the OTP you received on your registered mobile number and select the ‘Block Card’ option.
- Via Axis Bank Mobile App: Access your Axis Bank mobile app. Choose the Services and Support option. Then, tap on “Credit Cards: Block & Replace” and select the card you want to block. Finally, click on Block and Replace.
- Via Axis AHA Chatbot: To block your card, click the Axis AHA icon on the Axis Bank website and enter “Block Card”. Log in using your internet banking MPIN. Choose the card you want to block and input the OTP sent to your registered mobile number. Your card will then be blocked.
- In Person: By visiting your nearest Axis Bank branch and submitting the application to block your credit card.
How to Block Your AmEx Credit Card?
American Express allows you to block your credit card in the following two ways-
- Via Net Banking: Using your American Express online account.
- Via Helpline: By dialing the American Express 24/7 toll-free customer care number at 1800 419 2122.
Ways to Block Your Kotak Credit Card?
You can block your Kotak Mahindra Bank credit card in the following four ways-
- Via Net Banking: Log in to your Kotak Mahindra net banking account. Select the Credit Card option, followed by Service Request. Now select the “Report Lost Card” option.
- Via Mobile Banking: Access your Mobile Banking account. Choose the Service Request option. Then select the “Report Lost/Damaged Card” option. You can report the loss by sending an SMS with the text KCCLOST followed by the last four digits of your credit card number to 5676788. Alternatively, report the lost card by calling the bank’s customer service at 1860 266 2666.
Summary of Customer Care Helpline Numbers
For a quick reference, here is a summary of the customer care numbers of the major credit card issuers in the country-
| Card Issuers | Customer Care Numbers |
| HDFC Bank | 1800 266 4332. |
| SBI Card | 1860 180 1290 (24×7 toll-free number) or 39020202 (prefix STD code) |
| ICICI Bank | 1860 120 7777 |
| Axis Bank | 1860 419 5555 or 1860 500 5555 |
| American Express | 1800 419 2122 |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank | 1860 266 2666 |
| BOB Card | 1800 103 1006 / 1800 225 100 |
Register an FIR
Once the card issuer blocks your credit card, you are supposed to visit your nearest police station and register an FIR reporting the loss of the credit card. The FIR serves as legal proof of the loss of your credit card and will help in claiming the insurance benefit in case your card is misused.
Change Your Credit Card Credentials
As soon as you realize that your credit card is lost, you must immediately change your credit card PIN and the login ID and password of your internet banking account to prevent any fraudulent transactions on your card.
Learn here: Credit Card PIN Generation and Change Methods
Review Your Card Statement
Once you have changed the credentials of your credit card, review your credit card statement and all unbilled transactions on your card to identify any unauthorized transactions. In case you find any unauthorized transaction on your credit card, immediately contact your card issuer to report the same.
Review Your Credit Report
Apart from the card’s statement, you should also review your credit report for any fraudulent transactions. In case you find any fraudulent or unauthorized transactions on your credit report, immediately contact the credit bureau to report the same, as it might have a negative impact on your future creditworthiness.
Get a Duplicate Credit Card
Once you have taken all the steps, you can apply for a duplicate credit card from your card issuer. The duplicate card that replaces a lost or stolen card is usually dispatched within 5 to 10 days of application.
Bottom Line
While there is no sure-shot way to prevent unauthorized transactions once a credit card is lost, following the steps mentioned above will certainly relieve you of stress to a good extent. You must always keep your credit card in a safe place and must not share your card credentials with anyone to prevent such a situation from arising in the first place.