Technology News : Nowadays the need to carry cash for purchases is much less than before. Whether it’s shopping online, paying at a restaurant, or paying in-store, debit and credit cards are easy. Many banks offer discounts, cashbacks and other offers on card payments. This is the reason, people are increasingly using it for daily expenses.
However, problems can arise if the card suddenly disappears from your wallet or is stolen. In such a situation, it is not a good idea to waste time searching for it. If someone else gets it, it can be misused. Therefore, the first thing you should do is block the card as soon as it is lost or stolen. No need to visit the bank branch for this. Many banks also offer card blocking option through mobile apps, internet banking and SMS.
Block cards using mobile banking apps
If you have lost your debit or credit card, first open your bank’s official mobile banking app. After logging in, follow the steps below.
Open the Cards section in the app.
Identify the card you want to block using the last four digits of your card.
After selecting a card, navigate to an option like Manage Card, Manage Card or Support.
You may see options such as Disable Card, Permanent Block and Reissue, or similar.
If the card is lost or stolen, select the Permanent Block option. If necessary, request a reissue for a new card.
Confirm your request by following the on-screen instructions.
Once the card is blocked, the bank can notify you via SMS or email. Note that option names and procedures may vary slightly in applications from different banks.
Internet banking will also help
If you don’t have a banking app on your phone or don’t want to use it, you can block your card through internet banking. Open your bank’s official website and log into your account. Then, go to the Cards section and select the relevant debit or credit card.
Check the confirmation message from the bank
Then, go to options like Manage Cards or Support and request to block the card. If the bank asks the reason why the card is lost or stolen, select the correct option and complete the process. After submitting the request, check the confirmation message you get from the bank.
How to block card through SMS?
Some banks also offer card blocking option through SMS. However, the SMS format and number may vary from bank to bank. So, before sending a message, don’t forget to check the information provided on the bank’s official website or mobile application. Fill the required information in the format specified by the bank, such as the last four digits of the card, and send an SMS to the designated number. You may receive a confirmation message from the bank after the request is completed.
If you lose your card, keep these things in mind:
After blocking your card, check recent transactions in your bank account. If you see an unknown payment, inform the bank immediately and, if necessary, file a fraud complaint. To contact the bank, just use the number provided on the official website, application or card documents. Never share your OTP, PIN, or internet banking password with anyone you don’t know. Remember, the sooner you take steps to block your card, the more likely it is to reduce the risk of misuse.