What happens when I temporarily block my card? (2024)

FAQs

What does temporarily blocking a card do? ›

If you can't find your card, you can put a temporary block on your card while you try to find it. This will stop anyone from being able to use the card while you look for it. If you do find your card, you can easily lift the temporary block.

Temporarily blocking will lock your card, restricting all new transactions on your card. This includes new ecommerce or in-store purchases, bills payments, and subscriptions charges.

Which transactions are locked? When you lock a card, new charges and cash advances will be denied. However, recurring autopayments, such as subscriptions and monthly bills charged to the card, will continue to go through. Typically, so will bank fees, returns, credits, interest and rewards.

Locking will typically prevent new transactions but leave automatic payments, such as bills, bank fees, and subscriptions, enabled.

Your card could be blocked after 3 attempts at an ATM, then some banks do block it for a temporary basis. This temporary block can be for a maximum 24 hours.

Freezing your card will affect: Most contactless and online card payments. We can't guarantee we'll be able to freeze all transactions and you'll still be liable for any that do go through.

After you freeze your card, you get the option to block the card. Once you block your card, it cannot be unblocked, and you will need to order a new card as replacement.

And yes, cancelling a credit card will stop recurring payments. However, it will also prevent you from using your credit card altogether. If you cancel your credit card to stop a payment, you will want to make other payment arrangements with whomever you've given that pre-authorization to.

Some banks allow you to temporarily block the credit cards via this method. The process is simple; you login to your Netbanking account. Then go to the credit cards section and click on block credit card. Mobile App – Almost all banks have a mobile application through which you can manage your account.

It won't affect your credit score in any way. A credit freeze also doesn't do these things, according to the FTC: Prevent you from opening new accounts (you'll need to temporarily lift the freeze to do so) Block you from accessing your free annual credit report.

Does locking your credit hurt your credit score? ›

A credit freeze won't have any impact on your credit score, nor will it impact your current credit accounts. While a credit freeze won't affect your credit score in any way, it will impact your ability to qualify for a loan or credit card unless you thaw your credit file before submitting your application.

A fraud alert can also slow down your ability to get new credit. It should not stop you from using your existing credit cards or other accounts. "A security freeze means that your credit file cannot be seen by potential creditors or employers doing background checks – unless you give your consent.

It's a simple process to freeze your credit card.

You can usually do so via contacting your lender by phone or online. You can have restrictions placed on your card when it's lost or stolen to prevent fraud. It's also possible to freeze interest payments if you are in financial difficulty.