What you can do if you lose your wallet in Singapore

We’ve all had our fair share of misplacing our belongings. While most items can generally be replaced, nothing beats the pain of losing your wallet.

What happens when you’re certain your wallet is gone for good?

With many things in mind like replacing your identification card (NRIC), EZ-link and debit cards, it’s understandable to feel frustrated and lost.

Here’s what you can do if you lose your wallet in Singapore.

Step 1: Don’t panic

Think about where and when you last saw your wallet and retrace your steps. You could have dropped it on your way to school or work, or left it accidentally at the last place you visited.

Call the places you last visited to check if the someone has kept or found your wallet.

Similarly, if you took a taxi or private hire car, call the company to report a lost item, so that they can contact their drivers to help you search for your wallet.

But if you suspect that your wallet was stolen, you can file a police report here.

Step 2: List down everything you have in your wallet

Once you have confirmed that your wallet is truly missing, list down all the important items you left in it, such as a school thumb drive or your membership cards.

After listing everything down, rank them by priority. Highlight the items that need to be replaced or cancelled urgently, especially your NRIC and credit cards.

Taking small steps to get your life back in order will make your life slightly less stressful.

Step 3: Replace your bank cards

Contact your banks immediately to report and cancel your missing cards, as this may help prevent any fraudulent activity.

While waiting for your replacement cards, check your bank account regularly to make sure that no one has misused your card.

Here are some helpful numbers you can call to report a lost card:

OCBC: 1800 363 3333 (24 hours)
DBS/ POSB: 1800 339 6963
UOB: 1800 222 2121

Step 4: Replace your NRIC

Next, head down to the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) within 14 days from the date you lost your NRIC.

You will have to report the loss personally at ICA, which is open from 8.00am to 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 8.00am to 12.30pm on Saturdays.

Bring a recent passport-sized photograph, your passport, your signed statutory declaration and a $100 replacement fee (if this is your first time losing it). Do note that payment can only be made with NETS or CashCard.

But if your wallet was stolen together with your NRIC, you will still need to file a police report.

Step 5: Replace your EZ-Link card

For those with Concession cards, head here for the respective online replacement forms.

You can also head down to your nearest Concession card replacement office (open from 10.00am to 6.00pm daily) or visit the TransitLink kiosks to get your card done immediately.

Otherwise, you can apply for a replacement card to be mailed to you within five working days.

It will cost a total of $21.10 to get your Concession card replaced. After 10 working days, the money in your old card will be refunded to you.

Step 6: Take extra precautions

While there’s no guarantee that you might not lose your wallet again, you could minimise the chances of losing your wallet.

Remove the “fillers” in your wallet, such as name cards or your spare house key, so that you will have less things to worry about if you happen to lose your wallet…again.