If you misplace your debit card or realise it’s been stolen, it’s easy to panic. But stay calm and follow these steps to keep your bank account safe and ensure you can still access your money while you wait for your new card to arrive.
Report the card as lost or stolen
As a first step, you should contact your bank to inform them that your card has been lost or stolen. Depending on your provider, you might be able to do this in your banking app, through online banking or by giving your provider a ring. Your provider can then deactivate the card and send out a new one.
If you’ve simply misplaced your card and think you might find it, you can often freeze your card through your provider’s banking app. If you find your card hiding under the sofa, it’s easy to reactivate your card to start using it again.
Check if your bank uses an emergency cash service
Some banks, such as NatWest and RBS, offer emergency cash services that apply when you’ve reported your card as lost or stolen.
To use this service, you’ll need to have at least £20 in your account. You must phone NatWest or RBS directly to inform them of the situation and to answer some security questions. You’ll then be sent a security code that allows you to withdraw cash without using your card.
If you’re a telephone banking or digital banking customer, you can withdraw up to £300. If not, you can withdraw up to £60, so long as you have sufficient funds in your account.
In most cases, you’ll need to access your digital wallet through your banking app and you’ll then be sent a unique code that you enter into an ATM to withdraw your cash. How much you can withdraw depends on your bank.
Alternatively, some ATMs use near-field communication (NFC) technology to carry out cardless transactions. To use this, you’ll need to tap your phone against the machine’s contactless symbol and your digital wallet will appear on your phone. You can then choose which card you want to withdraw cash from, enter your PIN and receive your cash. Revolut is one provider that lets you withdraw cash in this way.
Head to your local bank branch
If your bank has a local bank branch, you can usually withdraw cash over the counter, provided you have a form of ID with you, as well as your account number and sort code. Before you do this, however, it can be worth giving your bank a ring to check exactly what you need to bring with you.
Get cashback
Some shops still offer cashback when you make a purchase, although you will need access to contactless payments on your phone for this to work without your card.
Others offer the ‘cashback without purchase’ initiative that lets you withdraw cash without buying anything. The LINK and PayPoint scheme lets you withdraw up to £50, while the Barclays scheme lets you withdraw up to £100.
Ask friends or family for money
Another option is to ask friends or family if you can borrow some cash. Or, if you have access to your bank account, transfer some money to their account and ask them to withdraw it for you.
Bottom line
If your card is lost or stolen, the good news is that you won’t necessarily lose access to your cash while you wait for your new card to arrive. Whether your provider offers contactless ATM withdrawals or you have a local bank branch to give you cash over the counter, there are plenty of options to explore.
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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full bio
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