Lost your payment card, or noticed a transaction on your account that you do not recognize? You do not need to panic and call your bank right away. In most banking apps, you can block your card temporarily yourself, in just a few seconds, and then unblock it again later once you find it or the situation is cleared up. This is a simple, reversible action that does not cancel your card for good. Here is how to do it, step by step.
How to temporarily block your card in the app
- Open your bank's app on your phone and log in the way you normally do, for example with your fingerprint, face recognition, or a code.
- On the home screen, find the section that lists your cards. It is often simply called "Cards" and has an icon that looks like a rectangular payment card.
- Tap the card you want to block to open its details.
- Look for a button or switch labelled "Block card", "Temporarily block", or something similar. It usually looks like a small lock icon or a switch you can turn on and off with one tap.
- Tap that button to block the card.
- If the app asks you to, confirm the action, for example with your fingerprint or a short code.
- Check the card's screen for a label that says "Blocked" or a similar message. That is the sign the block has worked.
Do not worry about breaking anything. A temporary block is fully reversible. You can turn it on and off as many times as you need, just like flipping a light switch.
What blocking a card does NOT do
It is worth understanding exactly what a temporary block means. It is not the same as closing your card for good.
- Your card number, expiry date, and other card details stay the same. Once you unblock it, the card works again, you do not need to order a new one.
- Blocking a card is not the same as reporting it stolen or lost to your bank. It is your own, temporary switch.
- Depending on your bank, recurring payments, meaning regular charges for subscriptions and similar services that someone already authorised with your card, may in some cases still go through even while the card is blocked. If you are unsure, check your card's terms with your bank, or ask through the app or by phone.
How to unblock your card
- Go back into the same app, into the cards section.
- Select the card that is marked as blocked.
- Look for a button or switch labelled "Unblock card" or something similar.
- Tap it to unblock the card.
- If the app asks you to, confirm the action.
- Check that the card's status has changed to "Active" or similar.
When blocking in the app is not enough, and you should call your bank instead
A temporary block in the app is a good solution when, for example, you cannot find your card at home or in your bag and want to be safe just in case. However, it is not enough in a few situations:
- You are sure your card was stolen, not just misplaced.
- You see a transaction or transactions on your account that you definitely did not make.
- You suspect someone has learned your card number, CVV code (the three-digit code on the back of the card), or other details and could be using them to pay online.
In these situations, call your bank directly, using the number on the back of your card (if you have it) or the number from the bank's official website, never a number sent to you in a text message or given to you by someone on the phone. Tell them your card was stolen, or that you see unauthorised transactions, and ask them to close the card completely and issue you a new one.
Important safety note. Your bank will never call you and ask you to read out your full card number, CVV code, PIN, or a one-time text message code to "protect your account". If anyone asks for this, even someone claiming to be from your bank, hang up and call your bank yourself, using the number on your card or on the bank's website.
What to do if something goes wrong
If something does not seem to work properly after you block your card, for example the status does not change, do not worry. Close the app, wait a minute, and open it again. If the problem does not go away, call your bank's customer service number, listed on their website, and explain what happened. A bank employee can block the card for you from their side, even if something did not work in the app.