Is your bank card refused in cash or online, without immediate explanation? Several causes can explain this blockage, whether temporary or permanent. Safety, exceeding of ceiling or expired card … Here are the main scenarios to know to avoid unpleasant surprises. © Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock Save save Receive Bank card alerts No need to be uncovered to see your bank card disabled. Sometimes the bank can initiate a preventive or technical blockage. As Boursobank explains on April 5, 2025, a recently issued card may be inactive as long as it has not been activated by first payment or withdrawal. A damaged card when sending or defective in manufacturing may also be a problem. Unusual payments abroad or high amounts are also closely monitored. In the event of suspicion of fraud, banking establishments can block a card automatically to avoid any malicious transaction. “It is recommended to declare your trips abroad to avoid untimely interruptions,” said Boursobank. Read also: gift or money laundering: beyond this amount deposited on a bank account, proof can be requested bank incidents or opposition: attention to automatic blockages from the frequent blocking source: payment incidents. An uncovered account for several days, a rejected check or a legal input can lead to the suspension of the card. Restoring generally requires the regularization of the situation to the banking establishment. In the event of loss or theft, opposition blocks the card definitively. Even if it is found later, a new card must be issued. Some banks offer a “temporary locking” function, which allows us to suspend use without final opposition. This is particularly the case with Boursobank, which offers this functionality via its application. Read also: blank card sent by mail, QR code … Gare to this new scam! Erronest PIN code, expired or not activated card: current errors are enough to enter three times a bad PIN code so that the card is blocked. In some cases, a withdrawal with the right code is enough to reactivate it. Another point of vigilance: the expiration date. Even in good condition, a deadline is no longer usable, as long as it has not been renewed and activated. After receiving a new card, activation is compulsory. This often involves physical payment or withdrawal. Some banks allow rapid activation for online payments, provided you have saved the card in a mobile wallet (Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.). A simple precaution to avoid unnecessary blockages. Read also: Banking costs: here is how much you will pay in 2025, according to your bank ceilings outdated and insufficient balance: Monitor your limits all the cards have payment and withdrawal ceilings, configured during the subscription or modifiable on request. A transaction can be refused if these thresholds are affected, even if the account is credited. In addition, an insufficient provision automatically leads to a rejection of the transaction. To avoid inconvenience, it is advisable to regularly check its balance and the limits of the card via the customer area or the mobile application. Some prefer to secure their payments with a secondary card or a joint account, useful in case of unexpected blocking or urgent need. Read also: Bank card flight: Are you reimbursed in the event of fraudulent contactless payment? Blocked bank card: The right reflexes to adopt in a refusal of payment, react quickly. Consult your messages or the application of your bank, contact customer service to identify the origin of the problem and restore the situation. The majority of blockages find a rapid solution, provided you act without delay. Last useful tip: Save your card on a compatible wallet. This allows you to continue to pay without contact, even if the physical card is damaged or inactive. This alternative is increasingly accepted, especially in online shops and services. Banking prices >> Our service – Save by comparing the online banking offers Receive our latest news each week, the flagship items to support your personal finances. (tagstranslate) Bank card
