Why HDFC Bank’s Credit Card Reissue Process Might Be Putting You at Risk

[TechnoFinoTechnoFino is verified member.]

We all know that credit card issuers usually offer us two options when it comes to replacing a credit card:

1. Reissue
2. Block & Replace

Let’s break these down in simple terms:

What Is a "Reissue"?​

A reissue is used when your credit card is not lost - it’s physically with you, but maybe it's scratched, worn out, or has issues with the chip or magnetic strip.
In such cases, banks typically send you a new card with the same card number, but with a different expiry date and CVV for added security. Once you activate the new card, your old one usually becomes inactive and unusable.

What Is "Block & Replace"?​

This option is meant for lost or stolen cards.
In this case, the bank blocks your existing card permanently and issues a completely new card - with a new number, new expiry, and new CVV - to prevent any misuse of the old one. This is a security best practice across the banking industry.

But Here’s the Problem With HDFC Bank​

Recently, we noticed something concerning about HDFC Bank’s reissue process.
When you request a reissue of your HDFC credit card, the bank sends you a card that is an exact clone of your old one - same card number, same expiry date, same CVV.

Yes, you read that right.

This becomes a serious issue when someone requests a reissue simply because their card has become slightly scratched or worn out - not completely damaged. In this case, both cards (the old and the new one) often remain active.

Here’s Why That’s a Security Risk​

Let’s say you reissue your card due to wear and tear but still keep the old one lying around.
Now imagine you accidentally lose the old card - and someone finds it.

Since the old card is still active and has the same number, expiry, and CVV, the finder can use it to make:

• International online transactions,
• Or even contactless (tap & pay) domestic payments
  (if those features are enabled on your card).

And guess what? The bank systems won’t detect this as suspicious because it’s technically a “valid” card - even though it’s in the wrong hands.

What Should HDFC Bank Do?​

HDFC should continue to allow reissue requests but with a small yet important tweak:
Send a card with the same number, but a different CVV and expiry date.

This simple step would immediately invalidate the old card once the new one is activated - reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions and improving customer safety.

Final Thoughts​

In today’s world, card security is more important than ever. Banks need to go the extra mile to ensure customers are protected - especially when small loopholes like this could lead to major consequences.

If you're an HDFC customer and have recently reissued your card, double-check whether your old card is still active. If it is, and you don’t need it anymore - consider requesting it to be blocked manually.

 

[hender]

We all know that credit card issuers usually offer us two options when it comes to replacing a credit card:

1. Reissue
2. Block & Replace

Let’s break these down in simple terms:

What Is a "Reissue"?​

A reissue is used when your credit card is not lost - it’s physically with you, but maybe it's scratched, worn out, or has issues with the chip or magnetic strip.
In such cases, banks typically send you a new card with the same card number, but with a different expiry date and CVV for added security. Once you activate the new card, your old one usually becomes inactive and unusable.

What Is "Block & Replace"?​

This option is meant for lost or stolen cards.
In this case, the bank blocks your existing card permanently and issues a completely new card - with a new number, new expiry, and new CVV - to prevent any misuse of the old one. This is a security best practice across the banking industry.

But Here’s the Problem With HDFC Bank​

Recently, we noticed something concerning about HDFC Bank’s reissue process.
When you request a reissue of your HDFC credit card, the bank sends you a card that is an exact clone of your old one - same card number, same expiry date, same CVV.

Yes, you read that right.

This becomes a serious issue when someone requests a reissue simply because their card has become slightly scratched or worn out - not completely damaged. In this case, both cards (the old and the new one) often remain active.

Here’s Why That’s a Security Risk​

Let’s say you reissue your card due to wear and tear but still keep the old one lying around.
Now imagine you accidentally lose the old card - and someone finds it.

Since the old card is still active and has the same number, expiry, and CVV, the finder can use it to make:

• International online transactions,
• Or even contactless (tap & pay) domestic payments
  (if those features are enabled on your card).

And guess what? The bank systems won’t detect this as suspicious because it’s technically a “valid” card - even though it’s in the wrong hands.

What Should HDFC Bank Do?​

HDFC should continue to allow reissue requests but with a small yet important tweak:
Send a card with the same number, but a different CVV and expiry date.

This simple step would immediately invalidate the old card once the new one is activated - reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions and improving customer safety.

Final Thoughts​

In today’s world, card security is more important than ever. Banks need to go the extra mile to ensure customers are protected - especially when small loopholes like this could lead to major consequences.

If you're an HDFC customer and have recently reissued your card, double-check whether your old card is still active. If it is, and you don’t need it anymore - consider requesting it to be blocked manually.

Very well said, It shouldn't be the practice at first hand.🤔

 

[✪ D&C Cards Connoisseur 💳]

We all know that credit card issuers usually offer us two options when it comes to replacing a credit card:

1. Reissue
2. Block & Replace

Let’s break these down in simple terms:

What Is a "Reissue"?​

A reissue is used when your credit card is not lost - it’s physically with you, but maybe it's scratched, worn out, or has issues with the chip or magnetic strip.
In such cases, banks typically send you a new card with the same card number, but with a different expiry date and CVV for added security. Once you activate the new card, your old one usually becomes inactive and unusable.

What Is "Block & Replace"?​

This option is meant for lost or stolen cards.
In this case, the bank blocks your existing card permanently and issues a completely new card - with a new number, new expiry, and new CVV - to prevent any misuse of the old one. This is a security best practice across the banking industry.

But Here’s the Problem With HDFC Bank​

Recently, we noticed something concerning about HDFC Bank’s reissue process.
When you request a reissue of your HDFC credit card, the bank sends you a card that is an exact clone of your old one - same card number, same expiry date, same CVV.

Yes, you read that right.

This becomes a serious issue when someone requests a reissue simply because their card has become slightly scratched or worn out - not completely damaged. In this case, both cards (the old and the new one) often remain active.

Here’s Why That’s a Security Risk​

Let’s say you reissue your card due to wear and tear but still keep the old one lying around.
Now imagine you accidentally lose the old card - and someone finds it.

Since the old card is still active and has the same number, expiry, and CVV, the finder can use it to make:

• International online transactions,
• Or even contactless (tap & pay) domestic payments
  (if those features are enabled on your card).

And guess what? The bank systems won’t detect this as suspicious because it’s technically a “valid” card - even though it’s in the wrong hands.

What Should HDFC Bank Do?​

HDFC should continue to allow reissue requests but with a small yet important tweak:
Send a card with the same number, but a different CVV and expiry date.

This simple step would immediately invalidate the old card once the new one is activated - reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions and improving customer safety.

Final Thoughts​

In today’s world, card security is more important than ever. Banks need to go the extra mile to ensure customers are protected - especially when small loopholes like this could lead to major consequences.

If you're an HDFC customer and have recently reissued your card, double-check whether your old card is still active. If it is, and you don’t need it anymore - consider requesting it to be blocked manually.

A quick query - in case of ICICI DC, is the expiry date extended to normal 5/6 years in both cases of Reissue and Block & Replace? Or the expiry date will be different in case of Reissue compared to Block & Replace?

 

[TechnoFinoTechnoFino is verified member.]

A quick query - in case of ICICI DC, is the expiry date extended to normal 5/6 years in both cases of Reissue and Block & Replace? Or the expiry date will be different in case of Reissue compared to Block & Replace?

ICICI generally offer 5/6 years from issuance date, for reissue and block & replace... both cases

 

[RDR]

Let’s say you reissue your card due to wear and tear but still keep the old one lying around.
Now imagine you accidentally lose the old card - and someone finds it.

Can you please elaborate this scenario?

Can this not be resolved by the card holder by destroying the old card in the first place, or if you lose it, then block and reissue?

 

[thewittypanda]

Agree. But we can mitigate this risk by physically destroying the old card. For ex - Cut it into several pieces and destroy it.

 

[Yugi]

I have reissued HDFC Diners once, they have sent me the card with the same number and expiry but a different CVV. Experience might differ across people.

What is scary for me is, they ask full credit card number in addon card form.