As easy and convenient as plastic money and cards may seem, they also carry the risk of being stolen, lost, or cloned. While credit cards come with lost liability protection, you need to be careful about debit cards. Debit cards, or what we call ATM cards, are the easiest mode of payment, and there is no need to worry about clearing the bill by the end of the month. If your debit card is lost, stolen, or compromised, it becomes even more important to block it. If you use a credit or debit card, you should know how to block your card if something goes wrong.
There are multiple ways you can block your card, both online and offline. Every bank has its own set of instructions for their customers to block or deactivate their cards. However, there is a standard procedure you can follow. Here’s how you can do it –
- Contact You Bank’s Helpline – Most banks have a 24-hour helpline for their customers to report lost or stolen cards. All you need to do is look for the helpline number, either on the website or your passbook, and block your card. You will need to verify your identity with details like your account number or registered mobile number.
- Use Net Banking or Mobile App – Many banks allow users to block their cards using the mobile application or the net banking portal because it is convenient. Every bank has its application, which is different from other banks, but a specific set of steps is standard for all banks.
- Send an SMS – Certain banks allow you to block cards through SMS. You may refer to your bank’s instructions for the correct format and number to use. Send an SMS in the specified format to the number provided by your bank. For example, the State Bank of India (SBI) allows users to send “BLOCK XXXX” (the last four digits of the card) to 567676. After sending the SMS, customers will receive a confirmation message from the bank once the request is processed.
- Visit Your Nearest Bank Branch – If you can’t block the card online or over the phone, visit your bank’s branch and ask them to block the card immediately. You may need to bring proof of identity for verification.
- File a Complaint If Necessary – If your card was stolen and used for unauthorized transactions before you had a chance to block it, consider filing a police complaint and informing your bank so that they can take further action.
Based on firsthand experience, things can become really complicated when debit cards are stolen or cloned, leading to a loss of funds. There is absolutely no guarantee of recovery of the funds. All you can do is block the cards in time.
How to Unblock Your Card?
Once you have reported the card as lost, stolen, or compromised, you may request a new one. You can unblock your credit or debit card both online and offline. Alternatively, you can unblock a debit card using SMS, net banking, or using the mobile app. To start with the offline procedure for unblocking a debit card, you may go to the nearest bank branch. You may also be able to unblock the card through a net banking facility. Sometimes, the block on your card is permanent, and the only way out is to have a new card re-issued. Your bank will charge you for the card re-issuance fee for your new card.
Bottom Line
Blocking your debit card in time can prevent financial losses and protect your bank account from fraud. However, you must stay very alert and contact the bank in case anything happens. It is best to contact your bank as early as possible; it is going to be even faster if you can block access to your debit or ATM card via net banking or the mobile banking app. Regardless of the method you choose, if you are able to block your card before someone tries to misuse it, you can save yourself from losing all your savings. The ways to block your card are pretty simple and only require you to prove your identity. By following a few easy steps, you should be able to block your card and relax.