What to Do When You Find a Credit Card
Found a credit card? Learn the responsible, safe, and legal steps to take to protect both yourself and the cardholder.
Finding a credit card requires careful and responsible action. Proper handling ensures its safe return to the owner and protects both the cardholder and finder from potential issues. Misusing a found card, such as attempting to use it, can lead to serious legal consequences, including charges of theft or fraud.
Immediate Actions to Take
Upon finding a credit card, secure it immediately without attempting to use it. Note identifying features like the card network logo and the issuing bank’s name; these details will be helpful later. Never attempt to use the card for purchases or contact the cardholder directly through personal means like social media. Using a found credit card, even for a small purchase, constitutes theft or fraud under federal and state laws. Such actions can result in severe penalties, including felony charges, significant fines, and potential imprisonment.
Contacting the Card Issuer
Contact the financial institution that issued the card. The issuing bank’s name and logo are typically displayed on the front of the credit card. Look for a customer service or lost/stolen card number printed on the back. If a number is not immediately visible or the card is damaged, search online for the bank’s official website and its lost/stolen card department for contact details.
When speaking with a bank representative, clearly state that a credit card was found. Provide identifying information from the card, such as the card type, the card network, and the last four digits of the card number if requested. Do not provide the full card number unless specifically requested and verified you are speaking with a legitimate bank representative. The bank will freeze the card to prevent unauthorized use and initiate contact with the cardholder to arrange a replacement.
Avoiding Misuse and Protecting Yourself
Understanding the legal ramifications of handling a found credit card is important for the finder’s protection. Using or attempting to use a found credit card can lead to charges of theft or fraud, which carry significant legal penalties. Federal laws, such as 18 U.S.C. § 1029, criminalize the unauthorized use of access devices like credit cards, with convictions potentially leading to substantial prison sentences and fines. Even possessing multiple unauthorized access devices can be a federal crime, regardless of whether they were used.
To protect oneself from accusations of misuse, avoid trying to contact the cardholder directly or posting any personal information about the card online. Documenting the steps taken, such as the date and time of the call to the card issuer and the name of the representative spoken to, can serve as a protective measure.
Returning the Card
Once the card issuer has been contacted, they will manage the process of notifying the cardholder and issuing a new credit card. The finder should not attempt to mail the found card directly to the cardholder or to the bank, as sending sensitive financial information through regular mail can pose security risks. The bank representative will advise the finder on the appropriate next steps, which may include destroying the card.
If the issuer does not provide specific instructions for the physical return of the card, or if the card is expired or damaged, safe disposal is advised. Plastic cards can be destroyed by cutting through the magnetic stripe, the EMV chip, and the account number, then disposing of the pieces in separate trash receptacles to prevent reconstruction. For metal credit cards, which are more difficult to destroy with scissors, it is best to contact the issuer for their specific disposal instructions, as some provide prepaid envelopes for return.