How to Unblock an ATM Card? (2024)

Protecting your ATM card is crucial to prevent criminals from accessing your account. There are multiple scenarios in which you must block or deactivate an ATM card. For example, you could have lost or stolen your debit card. You must also block the card when you notice an unauthorised transaction.

However, your ATM card can also be blocked when you do not need it, preventing you from accessing your savings. If you are facing such a problem, this article will highlight the different ways to unblock ATM cards easily and quickly.

Ways to Unblock an ATM Card

When your ATM/debit card is blocked unnecessarily, you cannot access your hard-earned money, causing an annoying experience. However, you canunblock your card using several methods, such as visiting the bank, net banking, SMS or customer care. This enables you to get access to your lifetime earnings quickly and easily.

How to Unblock an ATM Card Through a Bank?

You can unblock an ATM card by visiting the bank where you have an account. The initial process is to go to yourbank’s nearest branch and ask the officials about the cause of the block. After knowing the reason, you must request them to unblock your ATM card.

The bank officials may ask you to submit some identification documents for identity confirmation and process your request.

How to Unblock an ATM Card Through SMS?

Several banks even allow you to unblock your ATM card using your bank’s SMS banking facility. You can follow this simple process tounblock a debit card via the SMS facility:

Check if your bank facilitates the unblocking of your ATM card via SMS banking services. In addition, you must check the particular format to send the instructions to unblock your ATM card.
Next, you must send an SMS to your bank from your registered mobile number with relevant information like card number, account number and cause for blocking your card.
After verifying your information and processing the request, the bank will send you a message confirming the unblocking of your ATM/debit card.

How to Unblock an ATM Card Automatically?

Below are some situations when thebank automatically activates or unblocks your ATM card:

An instance when your bank may block your card temporarily is when you enter your ATM PIN up to three times incorrectly. This leads to a temporary block of 24 hours. Eventually, the bank will automatically activate your ATM card so you can use it again.
In some scenarios, the bank can block ATM cards for security purposes, especially when they see suspicious transactions. Once the bank completes the required security check, your ATM card will be unblocked automatically.

How to Unblock an ATM Card via Call?

Apart from the above methods, you canunblock ATM cards by contacting the bank’s customer care. You can follow this process to unblock ATM cards via call:

Contact the bank’s customer care by calling from your registered mobile number.
Follow the IVR instructions or talk to the bank’s representative.
Give the required details for identity confirmation, like your card number, account number and other relevant details.
Ask them about the cause of card blocking and request them to unblock it.
In some scenarios, the authorities may require further details, or you may need to go to the nearest branch to unblock your ATM card.
Once they confirm your identity, they will unblock your card for use.

How to Unblock an ATM Card Online?

Some banks permit you to unblock ATM cards online. To do this, you must open your bank’s net banking portal or the mobile application and log into your account. After logging in, you must follow their directives to unblock your ATM card.

Overall, there are multiple methods to unblock ATM cards. Nevertheless, if the bank temporarily blocks your card, you must request them to unblock it. However, if your ATM card is expired or deactivated, you cannot unblock it to start using the card again. In such scenarios, you must apply for a new ATM card.