Verification note
Reviewed on 26 October 2026 against RBI guidance and official SBI Card and ICICI Bank pages. Reporting channels, replacement fees, delivery times and issuer procedures can change. Confirm the latest process for your exact card before acting.
Losing a credit card can be stressful, but the first decision is simple: prevent anyone from using it. Use the issuer's official app, website or emergency number to lock or block the card immediately.
Blocking the card and disputing a transaction are separate steps. If you see a purchase or cash withdrawal you did not make, report that transaction through the issuer's fraud or dispute process as well.
What to do in the first five minutes
Open the issuer's official app or website and use the card-control option.
Choose a temporary lock only if the card is probably misplaced and its details are not exposed.
Permanently block or hotlist the card if it is stolen, cannot be found quickly or may have been copied.
Review recent transactions, including pending and small-value transactions.
Report every unrecognised transaction separately through the official dispute channel.
Save SMS messages, emails, complaint numbers and screenshots showing the time of reporting.
Do not use a phone number from an unsolicited message or advertisement. Verify it on the issuer's website, app, statement or the back of another card from the same issuer.
Temporary lock or permanent block?
| Situation | Safer action | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| Card probably left at home | Temporarily lock if the issuer offers it | Monitor transactions while searching |
| Wallet stolen or card details exposed | Permanently block and request replacement | Report any unauthorised transaction |
| Card retained by an ATM | Contact the ATM operator and issuer; block if not recovered immediately | Check cash-withdrawal alerts |
| Phone with a tokenised card is lost | Secure the device and wallet account | Ask whether the physical card also needs blocking |
A temporary lock can normally be reversed. A permanent block cannot. When there is a realistic chance that another person has the card or its details, convenience should not outweigh security.
Report unauthorised transactions immediately
RBI requires banks to provide round-the-clock channels for reporting unauthorised electronic transactions and the loss or theft of a payment instrument. The bank should send an acknowledgement containing the complaint number.
Customer liability depends on how the transaction occurred, whether the customer shared credentials or acted negligently, and how quickly the bank was notified. Do not wait for a transaction to settle before contacting the issuer.
Explain that the card is missing, identify the disputed transactions and record the reporting time. If theft, identity fraud or a large loss is involved, follow the issuer's instructions about a police or cybercrime report. Never share an OTP, PIN or CVV with someone claiming to investigate the case.
Request and check the replacement card
After permanent blocking, request a replacement through an official channel. SBI Card says a reissued card is sent with a different card number. Other replacement details can also change, including expiry date, CVV and PIN requirements.
Confirm the delivery address, replacement charge and estimated arrival time before submitting the request. These are issuer-specific, time-sensitive conditions.
When the new card arrives, activate it only through the issuer's approved process. Set transaction controls, verify domestic and international usage settings, and destroy the old card if it is later found.
Check subscriptions, wallets, EMIs and refunds
A replacement card can affect recurring payments. Review streaming services, insurance premiums, utilities, shopping subscriptions and any other merchant that stores the old card details. Update important payments before their next due date.
Remove or suspend the lost card in mobile wallets and merchant accounts. Do not assume a permanent block automatically removes every stored token or card reference.
Existing EMIs, outstanding balances and reward points usually remain associated with the card account, but confirm this with the issuer. If a merchant owes a refund to the old card, keep the receipt and ask the issuer how it will be routed after replacement.
If the card is lost while travelling
Block it first, then ask whether emergency replacement or emergency cash support is available. These services depend on the issuer, network, location and card variant and may carry conditions or fees.
Keep a second payment method separately from the missing wallet. Use official bank or card-network contact details, and avoid handing remote access to anyone who offers to “recover” the card.
Confirmed facts and interpretation
Confirmed: RBI advises customers to block a lost or stolen card immediately. Banks must offer 24x7 reporting channels for unauthorised transactions and lost or stolen payment instruments. SBI Card and ICICI Bank publish official blocking and replacement routes.
Editorial interpretation: A temporary lock is suitable only when the card is probably safe. Permanent blocking is the safer choice when theft or data exposure is possible. Customers should review every stored-card payment after replacement rather than assuming automatic migration.
Key takeaways
- Lock or block the missing card immediately through an official issuer channel.
- Permanently block it when theft or exposure is possible.
- Report unauthorised transactions separately and save the complaint reference.
- Customer liability depends partly on the circumstances and reporting speed.
- Confirm replacement fees, delivery and activation requirements.
- Update subscriptions, wallets and other stored-card payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is temporarily locking a lost credit card enough?
A temporary lock may be useful when the card is only misplaced and remains under your control. If it was stolen, the card details may be exposed, or you cannot find it quickly, permanently block it and request a replacement.
Will the old card work after it is permanently blocked?
It should not be used after the issuer confirms a permanent block. Destroy it securely if you later recover it, and use the replacement card issued by the bank.
What happens to existing EMIs and reward points?
They normally remain linked to the card account rather than the plastic card, but issuer treatment can differ. Confirm outstanding EMIs, points and benefits after the replacement is issued.
Will subscriptions move to the replacement card automatically?
Do not assume they will. Some merchants or network services may update credentials, while others may decline. Review every important subscription and standing instruction.
What if an unauthorised transaction appears later?
Report it through the issuer's official fraud or dispute channel immediately, even if the card is already blocked. Save the complaint number and provide the requested documents.
Sources checked on 26 October 2026
Factual-review checklist
- Compared the title, slug, keyword, topic and main facts with the current main branch and all 23 open pull requests; no substantially overlapping article was found.
- Used RBI guidance and official issuer service pages.
- Separated card blocking from transaction disputes.
- Did not present an issuer-specific fee, delivery time or channel as universal.
- Internal links point to published CreditCardRanker pages.
- Manual confirmation remains required for reporting channels, replacement fees, delivery, activation, wallet tokens and recurring-payment treatment.