You may have already been confronted with a refusal of payment. When paying for your purchases, you learn that your card is invalid. This situation is not that rare, but a little monitoring of your banking operations could have changed things. To avoid this situation, let’s find out together the reasons why your bank card refuses to work, as well as the best ways to solve the problem.
The invalid card problem is a common situation that can have several explanations. Before contacting your bank, check some things first.
If you made a mistake when entering your code, your bank card chip may be automatically blocked. It often happens that you forget your confidential code or simply make a mistake when typing your PIN code.
After three unsuccessful attempts, your bank will automatically block your card for security reasons. In some cases, you can unlock it instantly by calling your bank. Sometimes you have no choice but to replace it.
For various reasons, your bank may decide to block your card. The institution may notice that you are misusing it. For example: you often tend to be in the red, that is to say that you frequently go out of your overdraft zone or that you make purchases without counting.
In addition, if you are late in paying your due date, your bank reserves the right to suspend your card.
In case of suspicion of theft or hacking, your bank can block your card. To this end, it refers to certain information about you such as: your place of residence, the average amount for each of your transactions, your consumption habits, etc. This helps determine if you are the cardholder or if someone else is trying to transact on your behalf.
Yes, your bank card can be worn out. It can quickly deteriorate if you are not in the habit of storing it securely (in a card holder or in your wallet). Indeed, the chip and the magnetic strip are fragile parts. They can be damaged after several rubbings and cleanings.
In this case, you can order a new card. Note that the bank does not charge for renewal in the event of a defective card. Alternatively, you can keep the same code.
Sometimes it happens that the invalid card problem does not come from you, but from a malfunction of your merchant’s payment terminal. It could be a bad connection of the cables or the battery, a bad connection to the Internet, or a bad configuration of the device.
To be sure, you can try a new purchase from another merchant. If the problem persists, you should contact your bank to find out the reasons for the blockage.
A credit card is considered blocked from the moment you can no longer use it. You should find that your payments are being declined or you are unable to withdraw cash from an ATM.
Indeed, a blocked card cannot be read by a payment terminal or an ATM. Most of the time, just try again and it will work again. If despite several attempts, it still does not work, your credit card is indeed blocked.
The first thing to do if your card is blocked is to go to your branch or contact your bank advisor. While waiting for a solution or a new map, you can:
If your bank card is invalid, you will no longer be able to make payments or withdraw money from an ATM. An invalid card can occur for many reasons.
All credit cards have an expiration date. This is written on the back of the card. Once expired, it simply won’t work. Don’t forget to watch this date so you can order a new one before it expires.
In general, your bank warns you by e-mail when the expiry date of your card is approaching. Renewal is normally done within fifteen days before the end of the validity of your current card. If you have just ordered some, count about five days before receiving your new card.
In any case, it is recommended to check your mailbox regularly to avoid unpleasant surprises.
You have just received a new bank card and you are surprised that it does not work when paying for your shopping? The reason is simple: if your code was sent to you by your adviser, know that you must first make a withdrawal from a distributor. Otherwise, you can simply check your balance.
The objective is to enter your new code manually so that your new card is functional for any other operation. If you have opted for an online bank, your new card is unlocked from your customer area.
If you have made several large purchases in recent days, make sure you have not exceeded the limit authorized by your credit card. Indeed, it has payment and withdrawal limits. Most often, the cap is set at 7 days for ATM withdrawals and 30 days for card payments.
If exceeding the limit is the reason for blocking your card, you can ask your bank advisor to temporarily increase your payment limit. If the situation recurs frequently, your bank will be able to offer you a plan that is better suited to your expenses.
Have you tried to make a contactless payment when your bank card does not allow this option? Indeed, some card models, especially the oldest ones, are not configured for this operation.
You can then contact your bank to activate this feature. Otherwise, you can request a new, more modern card that accepts this service.
Your bank card may be invalid for several reasons. To be able to use it again, you must unlock it as soon as possible. Several means can be used.
In the event of wear, loss or expiry of validity, you can request a renewal of your card. While waiting for your new card, you must therefore anticipate. For this, plan cash or a checkbook to be able to continue to pay for your purchases.
If it is an exceptional renewal, your bank may charge you for the operation. For this, count about ten euros, depending on the bank.
The electronic chip and the magnetic strip of your bank card can be scratched or demagnetized. To remedy this, you can gently rub your card on your clothing, for example. Otherwise, you can contact your bank to try to magnetize it if possible. If none of these solutions work, you can order a new card.
Your bank may charge to replace your faulty card if it has not expired. To avoid this situation, take care of your card. Put it in a card holder, and remember to clean it regularly to prevent it from being demagnetized.
To clean your card, dampen a microfiber cloth first. Then add an alcohol-based disinfectant solution to it. Wring the cloth to remove excess liquid, and wipe it over the entire surface of the card. Don’t forget to clean the chip and the magnetic strip well.
For some time, your expenses have not stopped exceeding the maximum amount authorized over a given period? To avoid blocking your card, you can ask your banker to increase your limit. Indeed, you can go upmarket and choose a card with a higher cap.