If you own a debit or credit card, you must know the steps of blocking and unblocking your card in the event of loss or theft.
Plastic card users, both debit and credit cardholders, always face one big risk, i.e. losing their cards due to theft or some other reasons. This is the reason some people don’t prefer carrying their debit or credit cards in their wallets regularly. Debit cards allow you to withdraw cash without visiting a bank branch and do online and offline transactions. Credit cards also offer these facilities in the form of short-term unsecured credit.
In this article, we will learn about how to deal with the risk of cards getting lost or stolen. Fortunately, there are several methods available to block debit or credit cards to mitigate this risk.
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How to block debit/credit cards online, offline or via SMS
How to block debit/credit card online:
You can block your debit or credit card through your bank’s online banking portal or mobile app. Most banks provide a straightforward process for card management, including blocking a card.
- Log in to your net banking portal or mobile app.
- Navigate to the section with details of your debit/credit card.
- Select the option to block the card.
- Provide the reason for blocking the card.
- Submit the request. The bank will ask for reconfirmation to prevent accidental requests.
- Complete the authentication process using an OTP or your profile password.
- You will receive an SMS confirming that your debit/credit card has been successfully blocked.
How to block debit/credit card offline:
If you experience a loss or notice unauthorized transactions, visit the nearest bank branch for assistance. Bank officials can help you block your debit or credit card.
How to block debit/credit card via SMS:
Some banks offer the option to block cards via SMS. Check your bank’s guidelines for the specific format and number to use.
- Send an SMS in the specified format to the number provided by your bank.
- After sending, you will receive a confirmation message from the bank once the request is processed.
How to block debit/credit card using toll-free number:
You can also block your card by calling your bank’s toll-free number. This method allows you to speak directly with customer service to report the loss and request a block on your card.
- You can also block their cards by calling on a toll-free phone banking number provided by the bank. There are pre-recorded instructions related to various services.
- After selecting the debit/credit card block option, one will have to provide card block details to the assigned customer care executive.
- Cardholders should be ready for some security questions and answers that will allow the bank to authenticate their identity. Upon completion, a user will receive a card block confirmation.
Why block debit/credit cards?
Here are some reasons why one may choose to block a debit/credit card:
- In case individuals have misplaced their debit or credit card
- Someone has stolen the card
- In case of an unauthorised ATM withdrawal, online transaction, or PIN change request
Note that when there are 3 unsuccessful PIN attempts, a debit card is automatically blocked for 24 hours by your bank.
Ways to unblock a debit/credit card:
- An individual can unblock his/her credit or debit card online as well as offline. One may also choose to unblock a payment card via SMS or phone banking.
- To initiate the offline process for unblocking a debit/credit card, individuals can visit the bank branch. Alternatively, one can unblock his/her card by utilising the net banking facility.
Steps for reissuance of a debit/credit card:
Here are some ways in which one can reissue a debit or credit card:
Online:
- Log in to the net banking account or mobile app of the bank.
- After that, go to the service request section.
- Apply for a reissue of a card and pay the fee for the same.
- Authenticate through OTP or password.
- Submit the request, and banks will process the same and send a new card to the registered address.
Offline:
One can visit the bank branch and write an application seeking a reissue of the card. Banks will charge a fee for reissue and send the card to the registered address within a certain period.
Summing Up:
So this was all about how you can block your debit or credit card in case it gets stolen or lost. You can use any of the ways listed above to block your card and save your hard-earned money from being misused. Be it via an offline mode or an online one, just ensure you block your card at the earliest so that it does not get mishandled by a third person.
