Report a Lost or Stolen Card

It's a sinking feeling when you realize your credit or check card is missing. Did you misplace it? Or do you know for a fact it was stolen? Here are tips on what to do to minimize your exposure to loss and fraud.

1.  First and foremost is something you should do BEFORE you're ever faced with a lost or stolen card––make copies of all your credit and check cards, ID cards and licenses––basically any card and/or ID you carry with you. Photocopy both sides of all your cards, or list your account numbers and the toll-free phone numbers you'd need to call to report them missing. Keep this photocopy or list in a separate, safe place.

2.  Call!
If you know you misplaced your credit or check card:
Call the institution(s) that issued your card(s) to report your lost card. For Vantage credit and check cards, call 314.298.0055 or 800.522.6009 during credit union business hours to report your lost card. We will immediately cancel your lost card and reorder a new card. If you need to report your lost card after business hours, call 800.449.7728 for service 24 hours a day.

If your credit or check card was stolen:
Again, call the institution(s) that issued your cards to report the theft. Do this as soon as you discover the problem.

It's a good idea to follow up each of your phone calls with a letter. Summarize your phone conversation, including your name, account number, when you noticed that your card was missing, the date you first reported the loss via phone, and the name of the person you spoke with.

3.   Call the three national credit-reporting agencies to report the theft, and ask them to attach a 'fraud alert' to all your credit cards. Here are the three agencies and their numbers:

        Equifax:  800.525.6285

        Experian:  888.397.3742

        Trans Union:  800.680.7289

4.   Call the police in the jurisdiction where your card(s) was stolen to report the theft.