What to do when you lose your savings passbook

A savings passbook is a type of certificate showing a customer's deposit at a bank, clearly stating the deposit amount and the interest rate to be received after a certain period.

Nowadays, many people choose to open savings accounts at banks to manage their finances safely, effectively, and profitably.

If a customer loses their savings passbook, they need to follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Step 1: Notify the bank

As soon as a customer discovers their savings passbook is missing, they should notify the bank by calling the hotline or going directly to the transaction counter. This should be done as soon as possible so that the bank can freeze the savings account, avoiding risks.

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Illustration photo: Nam Khanh

Step 2: Complete the procedures for reporting a lost savings passbook at the bank.

After notifying the bank, customers need to go to the nearest branch to complete the procedures for reporting the loss of their savings passbook.

For convenience, customers should prepare all valid identification documents (citizen ID card/passport) and go directly to the bank's branch. There, customers will be guided to fill out the lost passbook report form. The bank will then record the information and begin processing the request.

Step 3: Wait for the bank to process.

After receiving the notification, the bank will verify and process the request. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days, depending on the bank's regulations.

If a savings passbook is reported lost but is not yet closed and not frozen, the bank will approve the withdrawal or reissue of the passbook. Customers will be notified by phone or email when the new passbook is ready to be received.

Please note that when withdrawing money, customers need to present a lost and found report signed by the bank instead of the savings passbook and proceed with the normal withdrawal procedure.

2. Notes on depositing money and safeguarding savings passbooks.

A savings passbook is one of the most important assets when depositing money. Therefore, to ensure safety and protect your rights, customers should pay attention to the following issues:

First, it's essential to properly safeguard your savings passbook. As it's an important document, it needs to be protected from tearing, damage, or loss. Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from moisture. Ideally, use a plastic bag or wrap the passbook tightly to protect it from dust and moisture.

Please note that you should not share your savings account information. Information related to savings accounts is very sensitive, so it should not be shared with strangers or on social media. This could lead to unwanted trouble for the customer.

Another important point is to regularly monitor your savings account. Customers should regularly check their savings accounts to detect early signs of irregularities such as torn, lost, or stolen passbooks. Additionally, it's advisable to use the bank's app to verify the accuracy of your savings account.

Most banks offer mobile banking/internet banking applications to make it convenient for customers to conduct transactions and view account information at any time.

Report any errors to the bank immediately. If you discover any errors or problems with your savings account, please notify the bank immediately for timely assistance and resolution.

(Compiled from the websites of Hong Leong, Eximbank, Techcombank , and VIB)

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