What (NOT) To Do When Your Credit Card is Stolen

I use Dashline for all passwords. I can access it from any computer and it allows me to make secure notes. I am putting all the credit card information in a note and believe that is a safe way to store it and still be able to access it.

All good advice. Couple nits:

- An unsigned card is not only technically not valid, but using it is technically fraud. Probably never going to matter, but IF the issuer were unhappy enough with you AND had some reason to notice, it would be one more excuse for them to push fraud back on you. So just sign them.

- Card number anatomy is accurate as far as you have it, but incomplete. American Express cards are currently 15 digits, not 16, and the meanings of their digits are slightly different (easy for them, since they're a single issuer). The IIN/BIN ("first six") is going to first eight soon, with 18-digit card numbers, although the issuers are pushing back on the brands over this, since they have to update software to deal with it. And the Luhn checksum last digit is almost universal: there are issuers who do not use it, so there are cards out in the wild with invalid checksums.

Bottom line re lost/stolen cards: calm down, notify issuer, change autopayments. It's a hassle but just a cost of modern life. You're not going to "have your identity stolen" and your maximum theoretical liability is $50; in practice, I've never heard of an issuer even enforcing that (they just eat the fraud and/or push it back on the merchants).

Kind of funny how much of this alleged lawyer's screed isn't really relevant to losing your wallet! I'm guessing someone put it together long ago and decided it would sound more official if it was from a lawyer.

Not trying to pour water on your parade but I have details of all cards and other documents photocopied as you suggest but my only action with respect to the cards would be to telephone the Issuer and report the card lost or stoen and request a stop on the card which the Issuer will do in any case.

Not sure I agree with your comments about not signing the back of the cards - the signature is required for other reasons; for example, a police check during a lawful stop, search and perhaps arrest - how can that lawful enquiry as to proof of possession be made without a great deal of hassle for both you and the officers if a comparison signature check cannot be made?

I've also found that, by putting "PLS SEE ID" in the signature block of my credit cards, it forces the merchant to ask for my ID. I have no issues with them asking to see my ID, and am quite disappointed when they don't ask for it!

I would never accept a credit card which had that 'Photo ID required' on the back of it. If the customer complained, I'd get the manager involved. Manager would have to ok the transaction if it said Photo ID required so if that transaction was fraudulent somehow (we'd get a monthly statement with bad checks or credit cards), the manager, and not me, would get in trouble, as well they should. I always checked signatures on the back of the card, too.

Some credit cards have a feature where you can disable a credit card from an app on your smartphone and then re-enable the card if you find it--assuming that you haven't already contacted the card issuer to report the card lost or stolen.

I've noticed in some cases that automatic payments will continue even if your card has "expired". And I seem to recall that some automatic payments went through for a while even though I got a new card with a different number. I eventually got a notice from the merchant asking me to update my credit card information.

Good advice on keeping a document that lists info for cards in your wallet. I've had just such a list for many years. I keep it on an Excel spreadsheet and update it when needed.

No merchant (in Canada) has ever looked at my card, all we use is tap and/or pin. And checks aren't accepted anywhere anymore.

Unless one deals with many ma-and-pa shops, where they may still look for a signature on the reverse side of a credit card, virtually ALL stores. these days, use those chip reader card kiosks for charge payments, and the cashier never touches the customer's card. So sign your card, if it makes you feel good, but it's not likely to make a difference, either way.

The best solution is to carry as few cards as possible - one, if possible, since virtually all retailers take the big four cards - Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover, or two, if you tend to shop at a retailer that offers some sort of "bonus rewards" that you use for travel of fuel purchases.

A good idea would be to make a simple Excel-type spreadsheet with the issuer's name, account number, date of expiration, and the issuer's 800 toll-free phone number, and keep it with one's personal papers, in the event a card is lost or stolen.

It's also a good idea to keep that card's toll-free number among the list of phone contacts, so you can call them immediately, after loss or theft. You likely don't, and probably shouldn't put your account number in the phone number's associated information page, in case the phone is lost or stolen. When you call the card's help line, the security clerk can find your number quickly, when yo tell them your name, address. etc., and answer a private personal question, generally ubknown to others, such as name of favorite pet, name of your first elementary school, year and make of your first car, etc., the answer to which is on their computer.

I currently use Free Avast for virus detection and Malwarebytes Premium. Today I received an email from TotalAV suggesting TotalAV for free. Should I download this program as being superior to what I have now?

EDITOR'S NOTE: No, definitely not.

And if you don't sign your card and someone steals it, they can sign in without having to practice forging your signature.

"Who writes checks to credit card companies these days?" I almost want to raise my hand.
It seems like we are almost at the bottom of the rabbit-hole and there is no way of turning back.
Such problems should not be the result(s) or "cost of modern life".
I have had only an AX (green) card for 40+ years and it is not even considered a 'credit card'; since it is payable upon (monthly) receipt, which necessitates writing THAT check.
To my surprise, the IRS happens to have the same mentality about credit cards as here. I attempted to create an IRS account but I could not get passed the first credentialing confirmation which requires a ‘credit card’ number yet an AX card is not acceptable credential, according to the IRS website.
I am even okay with not being so intimately connected to the IRS.
Yes, Alice! You don’t need to be on first name basis with Equifax/Experian/TransUnion… even in the 21st Century.

I don't use credit cards, only debit cards. Anyone have tips on security for those?

Probably a little off topic. But if you go to China, they require your card to have a 6 figure pin. I had to use cash until I got a Chinese debit card. Really a PITA.

My wife & I always put "Pls CK ID" or something similar on the back of credit and debit cards. More often than not our card will be inserted or swiped without the merchant touching it. However, there are many places where the merchant "rings-up" the sale. So, if he or she does notice our message on the back and asks for an ID, we thank them for checking and show an ID. Maybe it's just a feel good issue.

On the back I write see photo id and this also uses visual comparison.

As a retired military member, I print a label, using proper font size, that fits the signature area block of my credit cards as follows: "Retired Military-Please Ask for ID." I have been asked for my ID on numerous occasions because of this. I love it.

Why don't they require a pin when using a card? I think that would cut down on a lot of theft.

Here in the UK, we've had 'touch-free', or contactless, card transactions for years, using NFC. Max transaction is now £45. Anything over that is "chip and PIN;" No PIN, no transaction. No questions. No idea why they still need a signature on the card... Funnily enough, only my US-based Debit card requires a signature - but that's only because it's then treated as a Credit Card, and gets all the consumer protections.