If I can't find my bank card, how can I lock it myself?
Reader Lam Trinh (Quang Tri) asks: I’ve been looking everywhere for my bank card but can’t find it, and I’m worried I might have lost it. In this situation, can I block the card myself right away, and what should I do?
Answer:
Banking Times would like to thank you for your question. Here is our advice:
If you cannot find your card and are unsure whether it’s been lost or simply misplaced, you should proactively place a temporary hold on the card as soon as possible to minimize the risk of unauthorized use.
Currently, depending on the bank, customers can block their card through the mobile banking app, by calling the hotline, or by requesting assistance in person at a branch or service center.
You can block your card right on your phone
If your bank supports this feature, the quickest and most convenient way is to use Mobile Banking.
Typically, after logging into the app, go to the card management section, select the specific lost card, and use the card lock feature. The exact name and steps may vary depending on each bank’s app.
Temporarily blocking the card prevents it from being used for transactions within the blocked scope. If you later find the card, depending on the bank’s policy, you can unblock it to resume use.
What should you do if you can’t use mobile banking?
You should immediately call the official hotline of the bank that issued the card and request assistance to lock the card. The bank will verify the cardholder’s information before processing the request.
Obtain the hotline number from the bank’s website, app, or official channels; avoid calling phone numbers provided via text messages or links from unknown sources.
Additionally, customers can bring their identification documents to a bank branch or service center to request that the card be blocked and receive further instructions on how to proceed.
Is blocking a card the same as closing an account?
These are two separate actions.
If a physical card is lost, customers can block that specific card to prevent further use. This does not mean closing the payment account linked to the card.
Therefore, if you simply cannot find your card, you should select the correct “block card” function and avoid confusing it with closing or locking the account.
What if you’re certain the card is lost?
After blocking the card, you should check your transaction history to promptly detect any transactions you did not make. If you notice any unusual transactions, contact the bank immediately for guidance on how to handle the situation.
If you’ve confirmed the card is lost and cannot be recovered, contact the bank for instructions on canceling the old card and obtaining a new one in accordance with the bank’s policies.
Importantly, never provide your card number, PIN, CVV/CVC code, OTP, or online banking login information to anyone else—even if someone contacts you claiming they can help locate or reactivate your card.
In summary, if you cannot find your bank card, you should not wait until you are certain it is lost before taking action. You can proactively place a temporary hold on the card; if you find it later, check the card’s status and follow the bank’s instructions to unlock it. If the card is truly lost, contact the bank to resolve the issue and request a replacement card as needed.