It happened to Meera on a Sunday afternoon. She’d just wrapped up brunch with friends at a café in Colaba. After paying the bill, she stuffed her receipt in her purse, stepped out, and hopped into an auto. Somewhere between unlocking her phone and checking her bank balance, a small pang of worry hit her. Her credit card was missing!
She emptied her wallet, shook her handbag, and retraced her steps mentally. The card wasn’t there. Not in the front pocket, not in the cash pouch. Not even inside the book she was reading. That’s the moment most of us dread. You feel a little heat in your ears, your stomach churns, and your brain races: Has someone already used it? What if they’re shopping with it right now? Here’s what Meera did — and what you should do — the moment you realise your credit card is lost.
Step 1: Call the Bank First, Ask Questions Later
Before even texting her friends or scanning the café, Meera pulled up her bank’s customer care number. It was printed on an older statement in her email. One call, one prompt, one conversation — and she told the executive clearly: “I’ve lost my card. Please block it immediately.” The card was frozen in under two minutes. Don’t hesitate or delay thinking you’ll find it. Even if the card is under your couch, blocking it early saves you potential financial damage.
Step 2: Log Into the Banking App — Use the Digital Shortcut
While the card was already blocked through the call, Meera still logged into her banking app. Most apps today let you block a credit card with a tap. She confirmed that her card status showed “Hotlisted” — which meant nobody could use it anymore. Many banks even let you place a replacement card request right from the app, so you don’t have to fill any forms or make another call.
Step 3: Check the Last Few Transactions
Meera knew exactly what her last three transactions were: groceries, Uber, and brunch. Anything else would be a red flag. She scanned her account within the app. Luckily, no fraudulent swipes had occurred yet. She made a mental note: if any charge came through later, she’d file a dispute immediately and keep screenshots ready.
Also read: HDFC Bank Revises Credit Card Charges: Check What’s Changing from July 1, 2025
Step 4: File a Police Report (If You Suspect Theft)
In Meera’s case, she simply lost her card. But if she had even the slightest hint that it might’ve been stolen — maybe her bag was tampered with or someone brushed too close — she’d have gone to the nearest police station. It doesn’t need to be a full-blown FIR. A non-cognizable complaint (NCR) would’ve done. Some banks ask for this document if your card is misused, especially for claims and refunds.
Step 5: Wait for the New Card — And Clean Up Digital Trails
A week later, her replacement card arrived by courier. Meera didn’t stop there. She went to her food apps, OTT platforms, and cab services and removed the old card from “saved payments.” If she hadn’t, auto-payments could fail or worse — her old card could remain exposed. She also reset her UPI and net banking settings where the credit card had been linked.
Final Word: It’s Scary, But Fixable
Losing a credit card feels awful. You question your carelessness. You imagine the worst. But if you take the right steps quickly — as Meera did — there’s very little to fear. What matters is speed, clarity, and follow-through. Don’t panic. Just act. And don’t forget to reward yourself with a cup of tea once it’s sorted — you’ll deserve it.
Written by Roshni Mohinani
