It is important to block your credit card when you realize that you don’t have it with you anymore! Well, this would only happen if your credit card gets lost or stolen. With the number of credit card frauds increasing gradually, there is a higher chance that you can easily lose your credit card to a thief or fraudster.
In such cases, the first thing to do is to block your credit card. Doing so will at least reduce your chances of losing any money. Moreover, you are supposed to report the loss/theft of your credit card within 3 days to avoid any liabilities in the future. Failing to do so, the amount of loss/theft on the credit card will not be the responsibility of the bank/credit card issuer.
Hence, it is absolutely essential to be in knowledge of the process involved in getting your credit card blocked.
How to Block Credit Card?
There are various ways in which you can block credit card. We have listed them below for your assistance-
1. Online
Considering the dependence on online platforms, each credit card company has the facility of internet banking for its customers. You can get it activated right when you receive your new credit card. Using the internet banking option, you can block your credit card in a matter of minutes, without any hassle. You can follow the following steps to block your credit card online-
- Log in to your account on the official website or application of your credit card issuing company
- Click on the ‘Requests’ option, and then select ‘Report a lost/stolen credit card’
- Select the option to ‘Block your credit card’
- Click on ‘Submit’
Note that while following the above steps, you may also find an option to ‘reissue’ a new credit card. If you wish for the same, you can select that option before submitting your request to block the credit card. Your previous credit card will be blocked, and a new one will be issued to you.
2. Helpline
All credit card companies have 24*7 support service facilities for their customers. In case of any need, you can contact the customer executives of your respective bank and ask them to block your credit card. The customer support contact numbers can be easily found on the official website of your credit card issuing company.
Alternatively, you can also send an SMS for your request to block the credit card to the numbers given on the official website of the bank. Upon receipt of your request, you will receive an SMS notification from the bank about the successful blocking of your credit card.
3. Offline
If you are comfortable, you can also choose to physically visit the bank’s branch and block credit card. All you will need to do is to fill a form asking for your personal details and submit it to the bank officials, and your card will be blocked.
How to Unblock Your Credit Card?
There might be a reason that you had to block your credit card, and there might be various reasons owing to which you will have to unblock your credit card. Mentioned below are a few reasons why you will have to unblock your credit card and how you can do so-
- Loss or Theft
The major reason that you may need to know how to block credit card is that your card was lost or stolen. Alternatively, to ensure the safety and security of your finances, your bank may also block your credit card if any suspicious activity is noticed on your credit card. In such cases, you will have to apply for the ‘reissue’ of a new card. This can be done by either visiting the bank’s online application or the official website.
2. Irregular Payments
If your bank notices that you have been quite irregular with the payments of your credit bills, your credit card may get blocked. In such cases, you will have to make immediate payment of your bill in order to re-activate your card. For your convenience, banks allow you to make the payment of only the minimum amount due for unblocking your credit card. The remaining amount can be repaid with the next scheduled payment.
It must be noted that if you continue to have such defaulted payments of your credit card bills, then your bank will not only block your credit card but will also levy heavy interest charges on the unbilled amount. In such a case, you can still make the payment of the unbilled amount and the interest amount to unblock your credit card.
However, if such a default happens more than 4 times, then your credit card may be blocked permanently and will be made invalid. In such a situation, you will have to pay the entire debt to your bank. Even after doing so, the chances of re-activation of your credit card are only limited.
3. Over-utilization of your credit card limit
When you buy a credit card, your bank gives you a maximum limit to which you can spend using that credit card. It is generally advised not to spend more than 60%-70% of your limit in order to maintain a healthy credit score. Now, if you use your credit card to its maximum limit, then your card may get blocked by your bank. In such cases, you will have to make the payment of your entire credit card bill to unblock your credit card bill.
You can keep a check on your available credit limit by looking at your credit card statement. This will help you plan your finances well and will keep you away from any debts.
4. Non-receipt of KYC documents
Since there is major involvement of borrowing and lending money between banks and its customers, the RBI has laid down strict guidelines to be followed by both parties. Such KYC norms secure your personal information and ensure transparency between the bank and the credit card holder.
As per RBI, all the cardholders must comply with the KYC norms and present the required documents periodically. Failing to do so will result in the blocking of your card. If this happens, you will have to contact your bank and furnish all the required documents in order to unblock credit card.
