Found a credit card on the bus stop

[MoneyJohn]

While taking a walk around the neighborhood, I found a credit card (expiry 2023) near the bus stop. Someone must have pulled some change out of pocket and dropped the card. I wanted to just cut it and throw away but the wife thinks, it will be a better idea if I just call the bank and tell them that I found the card and they should cancel it. I will cut it and dispose it off.

What do you think is the best way forward?

My reasoning behind not bothering with a call,
- The card owner must have realized by now and called the bank to cancel the card. If not, I am just going to cut it and dispose it off so it will not be misused.
- I try to be a good samaritan and call the bank, I don't want to answer all the questions, where did you find the card, when did you find the card etc. They will not call the customer to inform him/her anyways and cancel the card at the end.
This comes more from one of the incidences. I found someone's food stamp card (most likely, not too sure what it was) at a grocery store. I went to the customer service to give it to them thinking that the person will come back to check. The look I got from those ladies as if I am the thief and I hated being a good samaritan, could have just cut and thrown the card away.
Since then, I don't feel like bothering to go out of my way. Cutting and throwing away the card is safe enough to avoid any misuse.

What would you do?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Call the bank.
I know I would appreciate your efforts if it were my card.

All good.

Or head to Costco and get a tv, new tires, etc.

 

[kschachn]

I have found them before, sometimes left in an ATM machine. I just call the 800 number on the back of the card and the bank thanks me as they cancel the card and then contact the owner. I shredded them at home when I returned.

 

[atikovi]

Toss it in a mailbox?

 

[Alfred_B]

Cut it up and dispose. The owner will realize and order a new one.

 

[bullwinkle]

I would call the bank, hopefully they will contact the card's owner-so they won't be freaking out about it missing!

 

[Mr Nice]

I found a wallet in a hospital waiting room area and turned it into security.

 

[Sayjac]

I'd likely google the question and check some answers. According to creditcards.com best choice call the toll free number on the back and report as lost. Reasoning seems reasonable.

https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/what-to-do-find-lost-credit_card-1282.php

 

[Tahoe4Life]

Try checking the name on Facebook and see what comes up in your neck of the woods..

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

We hear a lot about credit card fraud of all kinds often but never about all the times when an individual misplaces his card and a good person like yourself tries to locate the owner. Thank you sir. We should all strive to be part of the solution and not the problem.

 

[AC1DD]

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Call the bank.
I know I would appreciate your efforts if it were my card.

c.


I say call the bank. The card holder will be relieved that an honest person turned it in and can have some relief knowing that they won't have someone trying to steal their identity or using the card.

 

[Hall]

Give it to your wife to handle since it seems to be such an inconvenience to your life for you to call and spend a few minutes. I really don't think they care where and when you found it or what your name is either.

 

[Skippy722]

I know I'd appreciate it if someone called the bank to let them know.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Originally Posted by atikovi
Toss it in a mailbox?

Not that. Then a Postal employee will go to town with it.

 

[JLTD]

I'd call. They'll likely cancel if they haven't already, but it's the right thing to do.

 

[bullwinkle]

The correct answer is: do not go on an oil shopping spree!!

 

[ozric]

So, you don't want to spend a few minutes calling the bank so they can handle it, but you are willing to ask in a forum and wait to read a bunch of replies.

Okay.

 

[02SE]

Do the right thing. Call the phone number on the card.

 

[Kestas]

The card owner may not yet know his card is missing. If he does, he deserves some closure. Either way, you should report it. Call the phone number on the card.

 

[PimTac]

You know the answer already or you should.

Always take the high road.