Block Credit Cards

Hey, do you know what to do if your credit card gets lost or stolen? You need to block it as soon as possible!

Credit cards are a great financial tool to have in your pocket. It lets you buy stuff online or offline and transfer your money to someone when you require it. However, if you lose your credit card or become a victim of credit card scams, you should block your card as soon as possible to mitigate the possibility of damage. Besides, may not forget to inform the respective bank within 3 days. Failure to do so absolves the bank from any liability concerning the loss, theft, or fraudulent transactions associated with your credit card.

Well, wanna know how to block credit cards; let's dive in. This comprehensive step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about blocking your credit card. 

How to Block Credit Cards?

There are various ways to block credit cards. Ideally, one can block his/her credit card via online or offline mode. Some banks even allow individuals to block their credit cards with a single SMS or dialling a toll-free number. 

Online

To block credit cards online, you need to follow these general steps:

• Log in to the net banking portal or mobile app of your credit card-issued financial institution.
• Choose the section where you find your debit/credit card details, and click on it.
• Look for the option “block credit card” and tap on it.
• You will be asked to provide a reason for blocking your card. Choose the one that applies to you, or write your own.
• Confirm your request by clicking on “Submit”. The bank will ask for reconfirmation in order to avoid accidental clicks. So, click ‘Confirm.’
• Verify your identity by entering the OTP or profile password that the bank will send you.
• Once you complete the verification, you will get a message that your card has been blocked successfully.

Helpline

SMS: You can block credit cards through SMS. All you have to do is, send an SMS in a particular format to the number provided by the bank. You can easily find this information on the financial institution’s website if you are unsure about the number or the required SMS format. For instance, at IDFC FIRST Bank, the format entails composing a message followed by CCBLOCK and sending it to 5676732. Once it is successfully sent, the bank will promptly respond with the notification message, providing reassurance that it has been duly received and processed.

Toll-Free Number: In addition to the aforementioned methods, you can conveniently block your debit or credit cards through Toll-Free Number provided by the bank. When you give a call, there are pre-recorded instructions related to various services. You need to choose the debit/credit card services option. Notably, before choosing the services, you might be precocious about some security questions and answers — such as card details, card holder’s identity, branch name so on —  that will allow the bank to authenticate their identity. Upon completion, you will receive a credit card block confirmation.

How to Block Credit Cards from India’s Top Banks

Here are the official customer care numbers of leading banks that allow you to block your credit card instantly by using your smartphone:

Bank Name	Helpline Via
HDFC Bank Ltd.	18002586161
State Bank of India	18601801290
ICICI Bank Ltd.	18601207777
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.	18002090000
Axis Bank Ltd.	18604195555
IndusInd Bank Ltd.	18602677777
Yes Bank Ltd.	18001031212
Punjab National Bank	18001802345
Bank Of Baroda	1800225100
Bank of India	1800220088

Offline

You also have the option to physically visit your nearest bank and seek assistance from a knowledgeable employee. Remember, when you visit the bank regarding Block Credit Card, you may need to carry identification and account details unless you have your card.

How to Secure Your Credit Card Against Fraudulent Usage

Here are some essential considerations that you should keep in mind when it comes to handling credit cards:

• Keep your credit card physically secure
• Save the customer care number of your credit card on your mobile
• Let your credit card PIN in secret
• Choose a non-predictable PIN number; avoid using easily guessable numbers such as your birthdate or sequential numbers.
• Be cautious when sharing your card information online or over the phone.
• For online transactions, use credit cards on secure websites that start with the URL ‘https’; omit the URL that starts with ‘http’.
• Use licensed antivirus software on your personal computer
• Set different PINs on different credit cards if you are the one who is using multiple credit cards. 
• Keep a close eye on your credit card transactions and account statements.