Why banks can block a card and what to do if this happens

[Carding Forum]

Content:

• Can a bank block a card?
• Reasons for blocking the card
• How to know if a card is blocked
• How to withdraw money if the card is blocked
• How to unblock a card
• How long does it take to unlock?
• Briefly about the main thing

There are situations when a bank is forced to block a card: for example, if cash is withdrawn from it many times in a row or an attempt is made to pay for a purchase on an unreliable website. We will look into the main reasons for blocking, find out how to prevent it and what to do if it does happen.

Can a bank block a card?​

Yes, but only in certain cases.
A bank card is a reliable means of storing money, the bank is obliged to save it. Therefore, the card is blocked when there is reason to believe that payments and cash withdrawals are made without the owner's consent, that is, fraudsters are trying to use the card. To protect the money in the account, the bank temporarily suspends the card on the basis of Federal Law No. 161-FZ "On the National Payment System".
The card may also be blocked due to the owner’s violation of the card usage procedure and other conditions stipulated by the agreement concluded with the bank.
But first things first.

Reasons for blocking the card​

1. A completely atypical cash withdrawal or transfer​

If money is withdrawn from the card at night or is withdrawn multiple times during the day, the bank may suspect that the card has fallen into the hands of an outsider. In addition, the bank may stop the suspicious payment or transfer.
Having discovered atypical transactions, bank employees call the client and ask to confirm specific suspicious transactions. If the transaction has already been completed, it cannot be cancelled.
The client can also contact the bank themselves. In this case, they confirm their identity. If the transaction is legitimate, the blocking is removed. There is no need to open a new card and transfer money to it.

2. Purchases and other transactions abroad​

The bank is obliged to analyze the geolocation of transactions. Questions may arise about a purchase, cash withdrawal, or other transaction that you are making for the first time in a new region abroad. To avoid this, it is worth notifying the bank in advance about your upcoming trip abroad.
In such cases, before blocking, the bank usually contacts the client to verify the authenticity of the transaction. But this does not always happen. There are cases when the card is blocked first, and only then do bank employees begin to find out whether the owner is actually making the transactions.
After the client's transaction is confirmed, the card will be unblocked.

3. Potentially dangerous online payments​

Banks have a registry of unreliable sites. They are hacked or forged by criminals, such sites can illegally write off money from the card. Therefore, in some cases, transactions carried out through sites from this list are rejected. Be careful: if the transaction has already been carried out and confirmed by an SMS code, it will not be possible to return the money to the card.

Signs of an unreliable site:
— The website URL starts with http, not https;
— you came to the site through a dubiously profitable advertising campaign;
— the site content is poorly developed, there are some broken links;
— to pay, they ask for your card details and an SMS code, but the amount and purpose of payment in the SMS with the code may differ from what was expected.

4. Incorrect PIN code​

If the PIN code is entered incorrectly up to five times in a row (depending on the rules of a particular bank), the bank automatically blocks the card. Some banks block the card permanently after incorrect attempts to enter the PIN code. In this case, you will need to reissue the card or contact the bank office to unblock it.
If you understand that you have forgotten your PIN code, do not try to guess it by entering it again and again until the card is blocked. You can change it through the bank's mobile application.

5. The bank lost its license​

Sometimes the Central Bank revokes the license of a credit institution. From this moment on, the bank cannot operate and ceases all financial transactions. Information from the bank card is sent to the Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA). DIA selects a bank through which it will return clients' money, but no more than 1.4 million ₽. If there is more than 1.4 million ₽ on the card, it can also be returned, but only after the state sells the property of the closed bank.

6. The card has expired​

When the card expires, it is blocked. Some banks reissue the card automatically. The new card is linked to the old account, so there is no need to open another one. While you do not have a new plastic card, you can use a virtual one. This is a card that is issued in the banking application. Recently, the practice of extending the validity of cards has become widespread; the bank's support service will tell you about the possibility of using the card after its expiration.

7. Suspicion of violation of tax laws​

If the card receives constant transfers with the same amount, the bank may suspect that the owner is engaged in illegal business - and the card will be blocked. Following the blocking, a request may be received from the tax office.
To avoid any questions, it is worthwhile to officially register your permanent income. For example, register as an individual entrepreneur under the simplified tax system and pay 6-8% of your income.

8. The terms of the agreement concluded with the bank have been violated​

In the agreement on the basis of which the bank provides the card to its owner, the bank may provide for additional conditions for unilateral suspension of the card.
One of these conditions is the failure of the cardholder to provide the bank with current identification information, as well as other information and documents at the bank’s request, which are necessary for it to comply with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Therefore, inform the bank promptly about changes in your identification data (address, contact information, identity document). When receiving a request from the bank, provide documents and explanations in a timely manner.

How to know if a card is blocked​

There are several ways to find out that your card has been blocked and is not working:

• Usually the bank sends an SMS message about blocking
• If you haven't received an SMS, check the information in the bank's mobile app. If the card is blocked, the information will appear there.
• Call the bank's hotline. The phone number is listed on the back of the card and on the bank's website. The operator will tell you the status and reason for blocking
• Via an ATM. If the card is blocked, you won't even be able to find out the account balance. The ATM may hold the blocked card, in particular, after the number of incorrect attempts to enter the PIN code has been exceeded
• Contact a bank branch

How to withdraw money if the card is blocked​

You won't be able to withdraw money from a blocked card via an ATM. If it's not the account that's blocked, but only the card, you can get cash like this:

• Through the cash desk at any bank branch with a passport
• Transfer from card account to another account
• If the card is blocked on your initiative (and not on the initiative of the bank), you can temporarily unblock the card and withdraw money from an ATM
• Issue a virtual card and use it at an ATM if an additional virtual card can be issued for the same account. The method of performing transactions depends on your bank and the capabilities of your mobile device

How to unblock a card​

The method for unblocking a card depends on the reasons why it is not working. In general, the following options help:

• Unblock the card yourself through the app or in your personal account on the bank's website. As a rule, you can only unblock a card that has been temporarily blocked in the same way
• Contact a bank branch. If there is an overdue debt, for example, on a loan, it must be paid off before unblocking
• If the card has been seized by bailiffs, to unblock it you will need to comply with the court decision and pay off the debt
• Provide the bank with the necessary information and documents if the bank has made relevant requests

How long does it take to unlock?​

It all depends on the reason why the bank card is blocked:

• Instantly (if the card is not personalized, within a day), as soon as the client contacts the bank via the application, calls the contact center or comes to the branch in person. Provided that the bank and the state have no questions about the legality of the transactions.
• 24 hours if the PIN code is entered incorrectly. Check the card status with the bank's support service. The card may be unblocked automatically, or it may require a visit to the bank.
• After the bank has reviewed the complete package of information and documents provided at its request.
• From 4 working days after the debt is repaid, if the card is blocked by a court decision.

Briefly about the main thing​

A bank card is a reliable way to store money and a convenient tool for paying for purchases. However, sometimes the bank blocks cards. To prevent this from happening, it is worth following the basic rules:

• Do not overload one card with incoming transfers
• Make real purchases and payments using cards
• Notify the bank of upcoming trips abroad
• Notify the bank promptly of any changes to your identification data (address, contact information, identity document)
• Provide the bank with documents and explanations in full and in a timely manner within the framework of requests

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