Every person who uses an ATM card has to know how to disable it during an emergency. When your ATM card is lost, stolen, etc., you can block it. In order to prevent any unauthorized transactions, banks may also stop the ATM cards if they suspect fraud or that card information has been compromised. As the procedure is the same, this post is intended for the United States, India, Europe, Canada, and any other country. You can block your stolen or lost ATM card in Nigeria if you follow this link.

How to Block an ATM Card (USA, INDIA, CANADA AND EUROPE)

There are various methods you might ask your bank to block your ATM card. Below, we have a list of them.

Methods To Block ATM card

There are several ways you can contact your bank to stop your ATM card, and for each, there are a few actions you must take.

Contact Your Bank (Customer Care) To Block Your ATM card

For a variety of customer care services, all banks offer customer service numbers, many of which are toll-free. One of the many services offered is the blocking of ATM cards. You can choose to disable your card by following pre-recorded instructions. You must input the card information. 

Once everything is finished, an SMS will be sent to the registered phone number or email address you provided. You may be assigned and connected to a customer service representative for additional support and to confirm that you are the card’s legitimate owner.

Blocking ATM cards using NetBanking (online)

If you use internet banking, go to the part where you can view all active cards’ details or where the option to block an ATM card is available. When you click it, you will be prompted for another confirmation so that the card won’t be blocked even if it is accidentally clicked. You must verify further authentication using an OTP or your net-banking account’s profile password. Once finished, a ticket number will appear on your screen to inform you that the ATM card block attempt was successful.

Block ATM card Through SMS

A request for an ATM card block can be made through the SMS banking services offered by banks by sending an SMS with a certain format to the number the bank provides. A confirmation mail containing the ticket number, blocking date, and blocking period for the ATM card will be sent to you.

Hotlist ATM Card through the Mobile Banking App

The majority of banks offer mobile banking apps that let customers disable their ATM Cards. Therefore, every cardholder should make sure the mobile banking software is installed.

Block ATM Card Using the Automated Reporting System of the Bank

Banks are required by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to notify consumers of all transactions done in their accounts. A mobile number is always included in this SMS or email in case the transaction is fraudulent. The ATM card will be immediately disabled if the cardholder SMSs the number sending the message. This may be useful if any fraudulent transactions are made, but it will be useless if an ATM card is stolen before any transactions have been made.