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What to do if my Oyster card is stolen?

You can report your Oyster card lost or stolen by signing into your account or calling us on 0343 222 1234. We will stop your Oyster card and the Continuous Payment Authority.



If your Oyster card is stolen in London, you should take the following steps immediately to protect your balance and get a replacement:

1. Report it Immediately

  • Online: The fastest way is to report it online on the Transport for London (TfL) website. You’ll need to log into your TfL online account (if you have one).
  • Phone: Call TfL’s Oyster helpline: 0343 222 1234 (TfL call charges apply). Lines are open 24/7.

2. What You Need to Report It

  • Your Oyster card number (if you have it noted down).
  • The date and time you noticed it was stolen.
  • Personal details to verify your identity if the card is registered.

3. Why Reporting Quickly is Crucial

  • Protect Your Money: Once reported, the card will be blocked immediately. This stops the thief from using your remaining pay-as-you-go balance or any Travelcards.
  • Transfer Your Balance: If your card was registered, TfL can transfer any remaining pay-as-you-go credit and any valid Travelcard or Bus & Tram Pass to a new replacement card. Unregistered cards are much harder to protect.

4. Get a Replacement Card

  • After reporting, you can order a replacement card online or over the phone. There is a

People Also Ask

If you only have pay as you go credit on your Oyster card, you can lend it to someone else. Two people can't use the same contactless or Oyster card for a journey. If you have a Travelcard, Bus & Tram Pass or discount added to your Oyster card, you can't lend it to someone else.

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Get a new Oyster card You need to pay £7 and add a minimum amount of pay as you go credit, or a season ticket to your new card to use it straight away. Once you've got your new Oyster card, you can use our TfL Oyster and contactless app.

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You can add an Oyster card to your account. There is no limit to the amount of Oyster cards you can add to your account. You will need to either confirm a security question and answer if you completed a registration form or give us details of the last journey you made with the Oyster card.

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  • A £7 cost applies when you get a standard or visitor card.
  • You'll need to top it up in advance of travel.
  • You can't use an Oyster card at any station between Reading and Iver.
  • Some funds are likely to remain unused.
  • Taxis don't accept Oyster Cards.


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Oyster used to be the go-to way of paying for travel around London, but 66 million of the blue plastic cards haven't been used in at least a year. And while they languish forgotten in drawers, bags and wallets, Transport for London (TfL) has amassed a fortune in unclaimed balances and deposits - now worth almost £400m.

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Never expires: You can stash your Oyster card for your next trip and, even if it is many years later, it will still work. All you need to do is top up when you're there and you're ready to go!

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Children under 11 years old travel for free on Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail, when accompanied by an adult who owns an Oyster card. Children between 11 and 15 years old travel for free on tube, DLR and London overground at a reduced rate, provided they have a badge with Oyster Zip 11-15 photo.

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A card with a negative balance may only be reused once it is topped up. The Oyster card deposit has been there specifically to prevent customers having an incentive to discard cards with a negative balance.

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Your Visitor Oyster card offers daily capping. This means you can travel as much as you like in a single day and the amount you pay for your travel is limited (or capped). Find prices for daily capping and Day Travelcards. Use your card and save money at restaurants, shops, galleries and entertainment venues.

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You can use a contactless card or mobile device, such as a phone or watch, to pay as you go on all our services. Overseas transaction fees or charges may apply for non-UK cards.

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You can add money to an Oyster card or use contactless (card or device) straight away. You only pay for the journeys you make and it's cheaper than buying a paper single or return ticket (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys).

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