Family and Consumer Sciences
FSFCS53
Credit and Debit Card Register
Laura Connerly
Instructor - Family
Resource Management
Credit and debit cards are
convenient, but a lost or stolen card
could become a financial crisis. The
best protection against theft is to
know where your cards are at all
times and to keep them secure. Keep
your PINs (personal identification
numbers) secret. However, if your
card is lost or stolen, you will need to
report it as soon as possible.
Keep a register of your cards so
you will have all of the information
you need. Place the register in a safe
location and away from where you
keep your cards. You can use the form
on page 2. You will need to include:
• Name of the company
• Phone number you call to report
lost or stolen cards
• Address to write concerning lost
or stolen cards
• Your account number
• Number of cards on the account
• Name or names on the account
Many companies have toll-free
numbers and 24-hour service for
emergencies. Be sure to note the date
and time of your call as well as the
name of the person who helped you.
Follow up with a letter. Include your
account number, when you noticed
your card was missing and the date
you reported the loss by phone.
Unauthorized Charges
Arkansas Is
Our Campus
Visit our web site at:
http://www.uaex.edu
The Fair Credit Billing Act
(FCBA) and the Electronic Fund
Transfer Act (EFTA) offer procedures
to cover lost or stolen cards. Your
maximum liability under federal law
for unauthorized use of your credit
card is $50. If you report the loss
before your credit cards are used,
you are not responsible for any
unauthorized charges. If a thief uses
your cards before you report them
missing, the most you will owe is $50
per card. Also, if the loss involves your
credit card number but not the card
itself, you have no liability for
unauthorized use.
Your liability for unauthorized use
of your ATM or debit card depends on
how soon it is reported. If you report
the card missing before it is used, the
EFTA says you are not responsible
for any unauthorized transfers. If
unauthorized use occurs before you
report it, your liability depends on
how soon you report the loss. If you
report within two business days, you
will not be responsible for more than
$50 for unauthorized use. If you wait
more than two days, you could lose
up to $500. You risk unlimited loss if
you fail to report an unauthorized
transfer on your bank statement
within 60 days after the statement
was mailed to you.
Registration Service
Companies
For an annual fee, a registration
service company will notify all of the
issuers of your credit and debit card
accounts if your card is lost or stolen.
You make only one phone call – to the
registration service – to report all card
losses. Additionally, most services will
request replacement cards for you.
A card registration service is a
convenience, but it is not required.
Compare offers before you decide to
purchase a service.
For More Information
The Federal Trade Commission
regulates credit and debit card
issuers. For more information about
lost or stolen cards or to file a com­
plaint against a card issuer, you can
contact them at www.ftc.gov or call
1-877-382-4357.
University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating
Credit and Debit Card Register
Company
Address, Phone
(to report lost card)
Account Number
No. of
Cards
Account in
Name(s) of
References: Credit, ATM and Debit Cards: What to Do if They’re Lost or Stolen, Federal Trade Commission Facts for Consumers,
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/atmcard.shtm; Card Registration Services, Rebecca Lindsey, staff writer, http://www.
cardratings.com/dec00new.html
Credit is given to Judith R. Urich, Ph.D., CFP, former family resource management specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, as
author of the previous fact sheet FSHEC53, Credit Cards and Charge Accounts Register.
Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.
LAURA CONNERLY is instructor - family resource management
with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture,
Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock.
FSFCS53-PD-5-08N
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8
and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of
Arkansas. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its
programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national
origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status,
or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative
Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.