Emergency Assistance Abroad: What to do if Your Credit Card is Lost or Stolen

It’s a horrible feeling too many travellers have experienced: you’ve done the research on the best travel credit cards in Canada, and mid-trip, you realize your card isn’t in your wallet. Panic sets in as you try to remember every place you’ve been since the last time you had your card.

If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to remain calm. By acting quickly, you can minimize stress and protect yourself from fraud.

Before You Leave for Vacation

Before you leave home, make sure you have your credit card issuer’s contact information available. Put a note in your phone with their contact number and any additional numbers needed to get through to a representative. Add the issuer as a contact and put them in your “favourites” list of phone numbers for even easier access.

You can also download the card’s banking app and familiarize yourself with it. Many banks allow you to temporarily freeze your credit card and report it as stolen directly through the app. You can also set up notifications, so if someone tries to use your credit card, you can dispute the charge immediately.

Take Immediate Action

As soon as you realize your credit card is missing abroad, contact your credit card issuer or financial institution.  They can cancel your card immediately and may even confirm your last few transactions, to ensure no fraud has taken place. If possible, request an emergency replacement for your card.  

If you suspect you misplaced your card, rather than it being stolen, you can use the bank’s mobile app to lock the card or phone the bank to temporarily freeze it. They will unfreeze it once they have confirmation from you that you’ve located your card.

By contacting your financial institution immediately, you are on record as having called in the missing card, should an issue arise in the future. Keep written records of any conversations you have with your card issuer, including the person you spoke with, when you spoke with them, and the context of the call.

Report the Incident

File a police report if you think your credit card has been stolen. Explain that you are from Canada and need a copy of the police report to take back home with you. Having the police report can be crucial for insurance purposes or any possible charge disputes. The police may even be able to catch the thief.

Protect Yourself from Fraud

Periodically check your transactions online, while still on vacation and after arriving back home in Canada. The more often you check, the better your odds are of catching any unfamiliar charges or suspicious activity.

Once you’re home, check your credit reports for any unusual activity and request the reporting agencies place a fraud alert on your account. Destroy any supplementary cards associated with your stolen card.

Minimize Risk and Maximize Safety

Acting quickly should keep you from being held liable for any unauthorized charges on your stolen card. Call immediately to inform your financial institution, and then file a police report as soon as you get off the phone. Have a set plan of action should this ever happen to you. Being prepared can prevent a bad situation from becoming much worse.

Contact Information:
Name: Sonakshi Murze
Email: Sonakshi.murze@iquanti.com
Job Title: Manager