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If you lose your credit card and someone finds it and uses it before you can lock it, the situation is usually handled as follows:

1. Immediate Action:
   - Report the Loss: As soon as you realize your card is lost, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the loss or theft. This will help minimize the potential for unauthorized charges.

2. Liability for Unauthorized Charges:
   - Zero Liability Policies: Many credit card companies have zero liability policies, meaning you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made after you report the loss of your card.
   - Before Reporting: If unauthorized charges were made before you reported the card as lost or stolen, your liability may be limited. Under U.S. federal law, for example, your maximum liability for unauthorized charges is $50, and many credit card issuers waive this entirely.

3. Reimbursement:
   - Investigation: Once you report the unauthorized charges, your credit card issuer will typically start an investigation. During this period, they may place a temporary credit on your account for the amount in question.
   - Resolution: If the investigation concludes that the charges were indeed unauthorized, the credit becomes permanent, and you are not responsible for those charges. The card issuer will remove the fraudulent charges from your account and issue a new card.

4. Timeframe:
   - Timely Reporting: It's crucial to report the lost card and unauthorized charges as soon as possible. The quicker you report, the more protection you have, and the easier it is to resolve the issue.
   - Delayed Reporting: If you delay reporting the loss or unauthorized charges, you may be responsible for a higher amount, depending on the terms of your card issuer and local regulations.

Summary:
If someone finds and uses your credit card before you can lock it, most likely, you won’t be held liable for the unauthorized charges if you report the card as lost or stolen quickly. The credit card issuer will investigate the charges, and if they confirm the fraud, the money will be returned to you.