How to Get an Affidavit of Loss for a Lost ATM Card in the Philippines

Overview

An Affidavit of Loss is a sworn statement (made under oath) declaring that a particular item—here, an ATM card / debit card—has been lost, stating the circumstances of the loss, and affirming that the card has not been pledged, sold, or intentionally disposed of. In the Philippines, banks commonly require it as part of the replacement process and to document the customer’s declaration for record-keeping, dispute handling, and risk control.

Because it is sworn under oath and notarized, it has legal consequences: false statements can lead to criminal liability for perjury.

Why banks ask for an Affidavit of Loss for an ATM card

Banks may require it to:

  1. Create an official record of the customer’s claim of loss.
  2. Support internal controls for card replacement and fraud monitoring.
  3. Establish a timeline relevant to disputed or unauthorized transactions.
  4. Shift the request into a formal sworn declaration, reducing fraudulent replacement requests.

Not all banks require it in every case. Some banks replace cards based on a signed internal form; others require a notarized affidavit especially when:

  • the card is linked to higher-risk accounts,
  • there are disputed transactions,
  • the customer requests special handling,
  • the card was lost under unclear circumstances, or
  • branch policy requires it.

Legal nature and effect in Philippine practice

1) It is an “affidavit” in the ordinary legal sense

An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, typically executed before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths.

2) It must be notarized to be treated as a public document

When properly notarized, it becomes a public document and is generally accepted by banks and other institutions as an official sworn declaration.

3) False statements are risky

If you knowingly state untruths (e.g., claiming loss when you actually sold or gave away the card), you expose yourself to perjury and related liabilities.

Immediate steps before you get the Affidavit of Loss

If your ATM/debit card is missing, do these first (ideally immediately):

  1. Block the card

    • Use your bank’s app, hotline, or branch to block/disable the card and stop transactions.

  2. Document the report

    • Note the date and time you called or reported.
    • Keep any reference number, email confirmation, or chat transcript.

  3. Check recent transactions

    • Review your account/app for suspicious activity.

  4. If there are unauthorized transactions

    • Report to the bank right away and follow the bank’s dispute process.
    • Ask what supporting documents they need (the affidavit may be one of them).

These steps matter because banks often look at when you reported the loss in evaluating responsibility and disputes.

Where to get an Affidavit of Loss in the Philippines

You typically obtain it from a Notary Public. Common options:

  1. Private notary public (law offices near courts, city halls, business districts)
  2. Notary services near your bank branch (many branches have nearby notaries)
  3. Local government area notaries (varies by city/municipality; some have accessible notarial services nearby)

Banks sometimes provide:

  • a standard affidavit template you can print and bring to a notary, or
  • a bank form that must still be signed and notarized.

Requirements you should prepare

A) Valid ID(s)

Bring at least one government-issued ID with photo and signature. Many notaries prefer two IDs. Examples include:

  • Passport
  • Driver’s license
  • UMID (if available)
  • PRC ID
  • Postal ID (where accepted)
  • National ID (PhilSys) (where accepted)

B) Card/account details (as allowed by the bank)

Have on hand:

  • Bank name and branch (if relevant)
  • Card type (ATM card / debit card)
  • Card number: many affidavits use only the last 4 digits for security
  • Account number: often masked/partial for security, depending on bank practice
  • Date/time/place you discovered the loss
  • Steps you took (called hotline, blocked card, reported to branch)

C) Filing fee / notarial fee

Notarial fees vary widely by location and notary. Some banks also charge a replacement card fee separate from notarization.

Step-by-step: How to get it done (practical workflow)

  1. Confirm the bank’s requirement

    • Ask the bank: “Do you require a notarized Affidavit of Loss for ATM/debit card replacement? Do you have a preferred template?”

  2. Draft the affidavit

    • Use the bank’s template if provided.
    • Otherwise, use a standard affidavit format (sample below).

  3. Print (usually required)

    • Notaries generally notarize printed documents with wet signatures.

  4. Appear personally before the notary

    • You must sign in the presence of the notary (do not pre-sign).
    • Bring valid ID(s).

  5. Swear to the truth of the contents (jurat)

    • For an Affidavit of Loss, the notarial act is usually a jurat (“subscribed and sworn to”).

  6. Pay the notarial fee and get notarized copies

    • Request extra copies if your bank wants one for the branch and one for records.

  7. Submit to the bank

    • Bring it to the branch or follow submission instructions (some accept scanned copies first but may require the original).

What the Affidavit of Loss should contain (and why)

A bank-usable affidavit typically includes:

  1. Title: “AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS”

  2. Affiant’s identity

    • Full name, Filipino citizenship (if applicable), legal age, civil status, and address

  3. Statement of ownership/issuance

    • That the affiant is the account holder/cardholder and the card was issued by the bank

  4. Description of the card

    • Type of card and identifying details (commonly last 4 digits only)

  5. Circumstances of loss

    • When/where/how discovered missing; last known possession

  6. Statement that the loss was not intentional

    • Not sold, pledged, lent (depending on what is truthful)

  7. Actions taken

    • Report to bank, request to block, date/time of report

  8. Request / purpose

    • For replacement card and bank documentation

  9. Undertaking

    • If found, you will return/surrender it to the bank and not use it

  10. Jurat and notarial details

  • Notary’s signature, seal, commission details, and document number entries

Special situations and how they affect the affidavit

1) Unauthorized withdrawals or purchases occurred

  • Your affidavit should be careful: do not admit facts you are unsure about.

  • You can state:

    • the card was lost,
    • you discovered it missing at a certain time,
    • you reported it promptly,
    • and you noticed transactions you did not authorize (if true).

  • The bank may require additional dispute forms, specimen signatures, and transaction details.

2) Card was stolen (not merely lost)

  • Many banks still accept an Affidavit of Loss, but you may consider stating it was “lost or believed stolen” if that is accurate.
  • Some situations benefit from a police blotter/report, especially where fraud occurred. Whether it’s required depends on the bank and the circumstances.

3) Loss abroad or while traveling

  • You can execute the affidavit abroad through a Philippine Embassy/Consulate (which can administer oaths/notarial services), or follow the local notarial rules where you are—subject to the bank’s acceptance.
  • If you’re already back in the Philippines, you can execute it locally and focus on the timeline and report details.

4) Joint accounts / authorized users

  • The affidavit should be executed by the person to whom the card was issued (often the named cardholder), even if the account is joint.

5) If you found the card after reporting it lost

  • Do not use it.
  • Surrender it to the bank and proceed with replacement/closure steps as instructed.

Common mistakes that cause banks to reject or delay processing

  1. Pre-signing the affidavit before appearing at the notary
  2. Mismatch in name/address vs. bank records or IDs
  3. Missing critical details (bank name, card type, date/time of loss discovery)
  4. Using an affidavit without proper jurat/notarial seal
  5. Over-sharing sensitive data (full card number, full account number) when not required
  6. Including speculative statements (“I am sure it was taken by ___”) without basis

Data privacy and security tips (Philippine context)

  • Prefer using masked identifiers (e.g., last 4 digits of the card).
  • Avoid writing your full PIN (never do this) or full online banking credentials.
  • If the bank insists on full details, submit directly to the branch—not to third parties.
  • Keep your notarized copies secured; they contain personal data.

Sample Affidavit of Loss (ATM/Debit Card) — General Template

AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS

I, [FULL NAME], Filipino, of legal age, [civil status], and residing at [complete address], after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that:

  1. I am the lawful holder of a bank account maintained with [BANK NAME] and I was issued an ATM/Debit Card associated with said account, bearing card number ending in [LAST 4 DIGITS] (the “Card”).

  2. On or about [DATE], at around [TIME], I discovered that the Card was lost / missing. The Card was last known to be in my possession at [last known place/time], and despite diligent efforts to locate it, I could no longer find the same.

  3. The loss of the Card was not due to any intention on my part to dispose of it. I have not sold, pledged, or voluntarily transferred possession of the Card to any person.

  4. Upon discovering the loss, I immediately reported the matter to [BANK NAME] through [hotline/app/branch] on [DATE/TIME] and requested that the Card be blocked/disabled to prevent unauthorized transactions.

  5. I am executing this Affidavit to attest to the truth of the foregoing facts and to support my request for the issuance of a replacement ATM/Debit Card and for whatever legal and administrative purposes it may serve.

  6. In the event that the Card is found or recovered, I undertake to surrender it to [BANK NAME] and not to use it.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [DATE] at [City/Municipality], Philippines.

[SIGNATURE ABOVE PRINTED NAME] [FULL NAME]

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me this [DATE] at [City/Municipality], Philippines, affiant exhibiting to me his/her competent evidence of identity, [ID TYPE/NUMBER/VALIDITY].

Notary Public (With notarial seal; Doc. No. ___; Page No. ___; Book No. ___; Series of ___)

Notes on using the template:

  • Replace bracketed fields accurately.
  • Sign only in front of the notary.
  • Use only statements that are true in your situation.

What happens after submission (typical bank process)

After you submit the affidavit, the bank usually:

  1. Confirms identity and account ownership
  2. Processes card replacement and fees (if any)
  3. Issues a replacement card (often with a new card number)
  4. Requires PIN setup or ATM PIN mailer procedures depending on the bank
  5. Advises on dispute handling if there were unauthorized transactions

Key takeaways

  • An Affidavit of Loss is a notarized sworn statement commonly required for ATM/debit card replacement in the Philippines.
  • The priority is to block the card immediately, document your report, then prepare a truthful affidavit consistent with bank requirements.
  • Execute it properly: personal appearance, valid ID, jurat, and accurate details—because it carries legal risk if falsified.

Disclaimer: This content is not legal advice and may involve AI assistance. Information may be inaccurate.

Privacy Policy

Terms of Use

Lawyer Login

 
 
Privacy Policy         Terms of Use         Lawyer Login