In the Philippines, an Affidavit of Loss of Credit Card is a sworn legal document used to formally declare the loss or theft of a credit card.
It serves as official notice of the card's disappearance and is often a mandatory requirement when applying for a replacement card from the issuing bank.
When is this document required?
- Credit Card Replacement: It is a standard requirement by most banks when you apply for a new credit card to replace one that has been lost or stolen.
- Fraud Prevention: Submitting this affidavit, especially after reporting the loss to the bank, helps establish the timeline of the loss and can be crucial in disputing any unauthorized transactions that may occur after the declared date of loss.
- Official Record: It creates a legal record of the loss, protecting the cardholder from potential liabilities associated with the lost card.
Legal Requirements:
The affidavit must be executed by the credit card holder (affiant) and must be notarized by a commissioned Notary Public in the Philippines.
The affiant must personally appear before the notary and present a valid government-issued ID.
Under Philippine law, making false statements in a sworn affidavit constitutes Perjury, which is a criminal offense punishable under the Revised Penal Code.
It is highly recommended to immediately report the loss or theft of a credit card to the issuing bank as soon as it is discovered, regardless of whether an affidavit has been prepared yet.
This helps in promptly blocking the card and minimizing potential financial losses due to unauthorized use.