What to do if…
your phone or wallet is lost and your cards are exposed to misuse

What to do now

1. Stop the exposed cards first.

   • Contact each bank, credit union, or card issuer through its official app, website, statement, or saved phone number.
   • Report the card as lost or stolen, ask for the card to be blocked, and request a replacement.
   • Review recent transactions with the issuer and flag anything you did not authorize.
   • Ask whether mobile wallet tokens, virtual cards, or tap-to-pay access linked to the lost device also need to be removed or reissued.

2. Act fast on debit and ATM cards.

   • If an ATM or debit card is lost or stolen, federal guidance generally makes your possible loss depend on how quickly you report it.
   • Reporting before unauthorized use generally means no responsibility for unauthorized transactions.
   • Reporting within 2 business days after you learn of the loss generally limits the maximum loss to $50; later reporting can increase the maximum loss.
   • Do not spend time calculating deadlines before calling. Report first.

3. Check credit cards and dispute unauthorized charges.

   • For credit cards, federal guidance generally caps responsibility for unauthorized charges at $50, and reporting before use generally means you are not responsible for those charges.
   • Ask the issuer how to confirm the lost or stolen report and any disputed charges in writing.
   • Turn on transaction alerts if the issuer offers them.

4. Secure the phone service.

   • Contact your wireless carrier from another phone or trusted device.
   • Ask the carrier to suspend service for the lost or stolen device.
   • Secure the carrier account by adding or confirming a carrier PIN, passcode, or account lock if offered.
   • Ask what device, SIM, or account-blocking options the carrier offers for a lost or stolen phone.

5. Lock the device and account access.

   • For an iPhone, use iCloud or Find My to mark the device as lost if available.
   • For an Android phone, use your Google Account or Find My Device options to lock, sign out, or erase if needed.
   • From a trusted device, change the password for the Apple Account or Google Account linked to the phone.
   • Also secure the email account that receives bank, carrier, Apple, Google, or password reset messages.

6. Decide about remote erase only after locking.

   • Use lock or lost mode first if it is available.
   • Consider remote erase if recovery seems unlikely, or if sensitive information on the phone creates a serious risk.
   • Be aware that erasing can be hard or impossible to undo. Check the device tool before assuming what you can still track after erase.
   • Do not remove an iPhone from Find My just because it is lost or stolen, because that can remove Activation Lock.

7. Reduce new-account and identity-theft risk if IDs or personal information were exposed.

   • If your driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, health insurance card, or other ID was in the wallet, use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
   • Consider a credit freeze if enough personal information was exposed for someone to try opening new credit. A credit freeze must be placed with each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
   • Consider an initial fraud alert if you suspect identity theft. You can contact one of the three major credit bureaus, and that bureau must tell the other two.
   • Keep the confirmation numbers, dates, and any PINs or passwords for freezes or alerts.

8. Create a simple paper trail.

   • Write down what was lost, when you noticed, the issuers you contacted, and any case or confirmation numbers.
   • If the phone or wallet was stolen, or a bank, carrier, insurer, or bureau asks for documentation, file a report through the local police non-emergency route.
   • If you later find unauthorized transactions, report them to the issuer promptly and keep copies of messages or letters.