Has Your Credit Card Been Blocked By Your Credit Card Company?

If your answer to this question is yes then you may be wondering why this has happened to you. The answer to this question in many instances is that your credit card was blocked for your own protection by your credit card company to prevent the unauthorized use of your credit card by potential criminals committing identity theft against you.

You’re probably saying to yourself, well that’s great but, I am the one being inconvenienced because you are the person actually trying to use your own credit card and unfortunately the purchase you want to make has been declined because your credit card has been blocked by your credit card company. Unfortunately due to the billions of dollars lost annually to fraud, credit card companies have increased security to safeguard their customers credit cards.

So, you may be wondering is there any way to know when my credit card may be blocked? There is no specific way to make this determination however, the following tips may assist you in knowing what may activate a block of your credit card by your credit card company:

Tip One:

Charging small amounts to your credit card may prompt a block of your credit card. Unfortunately criminals test the waters by charging small amounts to credit cards initially prior to making a larger purchase.

Tip Two:

A change takes place in your shopping behavior. Normally you may only spend a minimal amount of money on your credit card and then you change your spending habit and begin to spend large amounts of money on your credit card. You already have a preexisting spending history with your credit card company so changing your spending behavior may trigger a block to your credit card.

Tip Three:

The use of your credit card while you’re traveling on business or while you’re on vacation in another city, state or country. This may be unusual credit card activity for you and may cause your credit card to be blocked by your credit card company.


Tip Four:

In some instances making numerous purchases within a short period of time may trigger a block to your credit card.



If your credit card has been blocked or declined by your credit card company you may want to consider following:


1) Contact your credit card company as soon as possible. You may have already received a telephone call, email or text message from your credit card company advising you of their concern for the prospective unusual activity on your credit card.

2) Try to have another credit card or debit card available for your use until you have the problem resolved with your other credit card.

3) If you are traveling on business or for pleasure let your credit card company know this information.


Keep in mind that since we are now in the holiday season your credit card company may be reviewing prospective unusual purchase activity with your credit card at an even higher level of security due to increased fraudulent activity that occurs during the holiday season. If your credit card becomes blocked by your credit card company, just stay calm and understand that your credit card company is trying to protect you from being a prospective victim of unwanted fraudulent activity that may result in identity theft against you.