Skip to content
Emergency

Savings book lost: how you still get your money

A savings book is a document, but whoever loses it does not lose their money. For larger amounts, the bank often requires for payout that the lost savings book be declared invalid through a court public notice procedure. After that you get your balance on a new savings book or paid out.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Create a letter to the bank →

Your chances of getting your money back

Your balance remains, even if the savings book is lost. For smaller amounts the bank often pays after an identity check; for larger ones a public notice procedure for invalidation is usual.
In the public notice procedure the local court publicly calls for the savings book to be presented. If no one comes forward, it is declared invalid, then you can dispose of your balance.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Report the loss

    Report the loss to the bank so that the savings book is blocked and no unauthorized person withdraws money.

  2. 2

    2. Clarify the procedure

    Ask the bank whether for your amount a simple identity check is enough or a public notice procedure is needed.

  3. 3

    3. Apply for the public notice procedure

    Apply to the local court for invalidation of the document. After the notice period, the exclusion order is issued.

  4. 4

    4. Secure the balance

    With the order, the bank pays out the balance or issues a new savings book.

How to spot the scam

  • You do not report the loss and risk a withdrawal by an unauthorized person.
  • You assume the money is lost with the savings book.
  • Uncertainty about the amount of the balance delays the payout.

Frequently asked questions

Is my money gone if I lose the savings book?

No. The balance remains. The savings book is only the document evidencing the claim. But you have to prove that you are entitled to the balance, for larger amounts usually through a public notice procedure.

What is a public notice procedure?

A court procedure in which the local court publicly calls for the lost savings book to be presented. If no one comes forward within the deadline, the document is declared invalid, and you can dispose of your balance.

Do I always need a public notice procedure?

Not necessarily. For smaller amounts the bank often pays after an identity and entitlement check. For larger balances it generally requires the court invalidation. Ask your bank about its procedure.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

Create a letter to the bankCheck a suspicious message
More help: Emergency by phone · Act together · Right to a lawyer · All guides

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.