Freeze Your Debit Card | NatWest International (2024)

Manage your debit card

Online banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest International account.App available to personal and business banking customers aged 11+ using compatible iOS and Android devices and a Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK or international mobile number inspecific countries (opens in a new window).

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Misplaced your debit card? Open in new window

How to freeze your debit card Open in new window

Has your card been stolen? Open in new window

Common questions Open in new window

Report fraud Open in new window

Think you've misplaced your debit card?

Can't find your debit card? Not sure if it'sdown the side of the sofa or if you've dropped it at the supermarket?

With our mobile app or online banking you can freeze your debit card so it can't be used until you find it again.When you find your card you can remove the block.

How to freeze your debit card

You can freeze or unfreeze an active debit card via the mobile app or online banking. Thisinstantly stops the debit card being used by anybody else, giving you time to search for it.

How to freeze your debit card

Using the mobile app

Within the mobile app, simply choose your account and select the `Manage my card & Apple Pay/Google Pay` option.

More about using the mobile appClose

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Freeze your debit card using the mobile app

Within our mobile app you can instantly freeze all types of debit card transactions or block only certain transaction types i.e. contactless.

How to freeze or unfreeze your debit card

To freeze your debit card in the mobile app, all you need to do is:

  • Open up the mobile app
  • Select the account with the debit card you wish to freeze
  • Select 'Manage my card & Apple Pay/Google Pay'
  • Activate the 'Card freeze' toggle to block the card

This stops any cash withdrawals or payments being made with your debit card. If you find your debit card, you can remove the freeze by deactivating the `Card freeze` toggle.

If your debit card has been stolen or you think someone may have access to your card PIN, please freeze the card thencontact usso that we can cancel the card and issue you with a new PIN.

How to block or unblock payment types on your debit card

You can choose to toggle on / off certain payment types preventing payments of that type.You can choose any combination of these card payment controls:

  • Contactless
  • In-person
  • Online and Telephone
  • Subscriptions
  • Gambling Merchants
  • International

To block certain payment types:

  • Open up the mobile app
  • Select the account with the debit card you wish to restrict
  • Select 'Manage my card & Apple Pay/Google Pay'
  • Choose 'Card payment controls'
  • Toggle on / off the required restrictions

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Using online banking

Within online banking, choose `Cards` and under Manage your debit card select `Freeze/Unfreeze card`.

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Freeze your debit card using online banking

To freeze your debit card in online banking, all you need to do is:

  • Log in to online banking
  • Select 'Cards' from the main menu.
  • In the 'Manage your debit card' section, select 'Freeze/Unfreeze card'
  • From the list of debit cards, select the required card and click the `Freeze card` button

This stops any cash withdrawals or payments being made with your debit card. If you find your debit card, you can remove the freeze by clicking the ‘Unfreeze card’ button.

If your debit card has been stolen or you think someone may have access to your card PIN, please freeze the card thencontact usso that we can cancel the card and issue you with a new PIN.

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Has your debit card been stolen?

If your debit card has been stolen or you think someone may have access to your card PIN, please freeze the card thencontact usso that we can cancel the card and issue you with a new PIN.

Common questions about freezing your debit card

If I’ve frozen my debit card, can I still get cash out of my account?

Yes, you can use the Get Cash service on our mobile app to withdraw cash from any NatWest International, NatWest, Isle of Man Bank or Tesco cash machine.

Will all my card payments be blocked, if I freeze my debit card?

No, we’ll still make some payments including:

  • pending payments we authorised before you froze your card
  • payments a retailer has approved, without being able to check with us first (such as for something bought on a flight or a road toll payment)
How long will it take to freeze and unfreeze my card?

As soon as you click the ‘Freeze card’ button, it’ll be frozen instantly.When you click the ‘Unfreeze card’ button, your card goes back to normal straight away and you can use it exactly as before.

Will freezing my card affect what I can do using online banking?

Yes, while your debit card is frozen you won’t be able to use it with your card-reader. So you won’t be able to:

  • access full online banking service when prompted to use your card-reader at login
  • make a payment for the first time
  • create or update standing orders
  • update your personal details (email address, mobile number etc)
  • manage your activity alerts

Once you unfreeze your card, you’ll be able to do all these things again.

If you have another debit card it can be used with the card-reader, as long as it’s not frozen too.

Can I freeze someone else’s debit card?

You can only freeze your own cards. If you have a joint account holder, you will not be able to freeze their debit card. The joint account holder will have to freeze their own debit card from online banking or the mobile app.

What if my card is lost or stolen?

Freezing your debit card gives you time to search for it, if it’s gone missing. If you still can’t find it, or you’re convinced it’s lost for good or stolen, let us know and we’ll send you a replacement.

Contact us to report your debit card lost or stolen

Freeze Your Debit Card | NatWest International (2024)

FAQs

Freeze Your Debit Card | NatWest International? ›

Card locking is a feature many debit or credit card issuers offer today. It allows you to freeze your card or account temporarily and block further charges. Locking will typically prevent new transactions but leave automatic payments, such as bills, bank fees, and subscriptions, enabled.

Does freezing a debit card stop all transactions? ›

Card locking is a feature many debit or credit card issuers offer today. It allows you to freeze your card or account temporarily and block further charges. Locking will typically prevent new transactions but leave automatic payments, such as bills, bank fees, and subscriptions, enabled.

Can I put a temporary freeze on my debit card? ›

Freezing your debit card temporarily stops the following transactions until you unfreeze your card: Purchases. ATM withdrawals.

What happens when you freeze your debit card? ›

If you can't find your debit card, freezing it stops it being used by anybody else. On Digital Banking, as soon as you click the 'Freeze card' button, it'll be frozen instantly. If you are using your mobile app, you can use the 'Card Freeze' setting. That means there's no rush to report your card lost or stolen.

Why is my debit card being declined for international transactions? ›

The card company may decline the transaction as a precaution. This generally happens when a series of domestic transactions are followed by an international transaction. It is one of the many risk rules that are in place to ensure a safe banking experience.

What is the benefit of freezing debit card? ›

Easier and Faster Than Canceling and Replacing a Card

Compared to reporting your card lost or stolen and waiting for a replacement, freezing is a quicker and more convenient option. Most banks and issuers allow you to freeze your card through online banking or mobile apps, providing instant protection.

What happens when you pause a debit card? ›

Once you Pause a card, all transactions will be declined until you choose to UnPause it. It's your first line of defense until you have confirmed that your card has been lost or stolen. If you are certain that it's been stolen, Pause is a great way discourage unlawful use of your card as quickly as possible.

What are the rules for debit freeze? ›

Freeze account meaning

You will be unable to transfer funds from or into your account. You will also be unable to leverage your Debit Card to make purchases from your account. These restrictions can bring all financial transactions to a halt, making it challenging to go about your daily financial activities.

Does locking your debit card stop pending transactions? ›

No. Any pending transactions that have already received authorization will be processed and paid.

Can I temporarily lock my debit card? ›

Many debit card accounts also feature a lock. The idea is that if you misplace a card, you can lock it, or essentially turn it off. That would prevent a thief from making fraudulent charges with a stolen card number. If you find the card, you can unlock it, or turn it back on — all without a call to your card issuer.

Is my card safe if I freeze it? ›

Freezing a credit card for lost or stolen cards

This is to prevent fraud and will stop use of your card by anyone else. But it is a temporary measure if you think you've misplaced your card, which means that if you find it you can later remove the freeze.

Can you receive money on a frozen card? ›

Yes you can still receive payments into your bank account, using account number and sort code.

Can I freeze my Visa debit card? ›

If you think you have mislaid your Debit Card you can place a temporary freeze on your card. This feature is ideal for use as a short term security measure, for example where you have mislaid your card around the home but you don't want to report it lost just yet!

How do I stop international transactions on my debit card? ›

How do I block international transactions? You can block your debit card from being used internationally by enabling the Block International option on the Location Controls screen. Blocking international transactions will disable all set regions.

Why is my card declined on foreign transaction? ›

Large purchases, charges from sellers in foreign countries, or activity that seems unusual may trigger the bank or credit union to lock down your account to avoid fraud. Before traveling, contact your bank or credit union to let them know you'll be out of town.

What happens if you use a debit card internationally? ›

International ATM fee: This is usually a combination of a flat fee and a percentage of the amount withdrawn. Typically, fees range from $1 to $5. Foreign transaction fee: Also known as a currency conversion fee, this fee can range from 1% to 3% of the total purchase amount.

When you freeze your card does it stop pending transactions? ›

If I have a pending transaction when I freeze my card, will the transaction be paid? Yes. Transactions which have already been authorised will clear. It is only from the point that the lock is put in place that a initiated transaction will be declined.

Can direct debits still come out if you freeze your card? ›

But it still allows direct debits, standing orders and refunds.

Will a pending transaction go through if you freeze your credit card? ›

If the transaction has already been authorized it will still clear, regardless of if you freeze or lock your card.

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