How to Block Payments From Certain Cards or Countries?

PayDo recommends: if you suspect that your card may be used by fraudsters, you should freeze your debit card by contacting your bank. This also applies if you cannot stop the automatic payment you set up for the merchant. This can be done online, by calling your bank's customer service, or by visiting a branch in person.

Can you freeze a debit card?

Many banks will give you a new card when you complain of fraud, or temporarily block your current card if it is found to be missing. For security purposes, you can always freeze transactions on your debit card. This can simply be done by contacting bank employees in any way convenient for you.

Independent blocks

To address specific concerns, such as canceling automatic payments or subscriptions, it is important to personally inform your bank and follow their procedures. By providing written notification within 14 days, you can block recurring transactions and challenge any unauthorized or canceled transactions.

It is crucial to notify your bank promptly in case of fraudulent or erroneous transactions to benefit from the zero liability policy offered by Visa or Mastercard.

If your card is lost, temporarily freezing it is a viable option while you search for it. We recommend checking with your bank beforehand to confirm if such a service is available. During the freeze, ensure that the card balance remains unchanged and monitor for any fraudulent activities. Once you locate your card, you can request to unblock it. If the card remains unrecovered, you may consider requesting a card replacement from your bank.

Blocks initiated by the bank

The banks may also take the initiative to freeze your debit card in case they suspect fraudulent activity. Also, if your account exceeds the limit, the bank may block any transactions from your account and not warn you about it. This usually happens if you are making payments from another country or an unusual place, and quite often, if you enter the wrong password a large number of times. Large purchases can also trigger a block.

Surely at such a moment, you will have the question “how to unfreeze my debit card?”. You can always contact your bank and personally explain under what conditions the transaction was made. You can also cancel this operation by calling a special number offered by the bank for contacting specialists when traveling abroad. You will most likely find this number on the back of your card.

To minimize the likelihood of your card being blocked, you should notify your bank in advance before making a payment from an unfamiliar location or making a large purchase. This can be done online, by phone, or directly at the branch.

Selective blocking

To prevent unauthorized payments from specific cards, it is important to avoid sharing sensitive information in general. However, if your card details have been compromised and unauthorized charges are continuing, the first step is to directly contact them through a written appeal. Terminate the contract with such an organization or cancel the trial period if you subscribed.

Companies are obligated to comply with certain requirements within a specified timeframe. If they fail to do so, any transaction from their account or to their debit card can be contested. It is beneficial to have records of the date and time you contacted the company, as well as a copy of the email you sent to them. When you reach out to your bank, they may request evidence to support your claim. By simply contacting your bank, you can prevent your Visa debit card from being blocked. It is the responsibility of the company to provide proof that you authorized the debit, especially if the transaction was completed "without presenting the card." Many banks often conclude that the funds should be returned to the client within a week or so.