Card freezes depend on how and when payments are processed. Some payments are processed instantly and others, like some public transport services or online retailers, are processed later. If you turn on your Card freeze before the payment is processed, the transaction may be stopped.
We also rely on transactions being categorised correctly. In the rare case that this doesn’t happen, we can’t always stop the transaction through Card freezes.
Freeze abroad stops payments outside the UK in person and at Cashpoints.
It won’t stop
- Transactions where retailers don’t ask for bank authorisation e.g. payments on TFL or on planes.
Freeze online and remotestops transactions where your card isn’t there when you pay. For example, online, in-app, phone and mail order payments. It includes digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
It won’t stop
- Direct Debits.
- Anything the retailer considers to be a recurring transaction.
- Transactions where retailers don’t ask for bank authorisation e.g. payments on TFL or on planes.
Freeze in person stops transactions where you use your card to make a payment in person, including digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
It won’t stop
- Cashpoint withdrawals
- Transactions where retailers don’t ask for bank authorisation e.g. payments on TFL or on planes.
The full freeze instantly blocks transactions on your card, including:
- online and in-person payments made with your card
- online and contactless payments using Apple Pay or Google Pay
- payments over the phone
- mail order payments
- cash machine withdrawals (credit card only).
It still allows:
- balance transfers and money transfers
- payments into your account, such as refunds
- recurring payments, such as Direct Debits or subscriptions.
The cash machine freeze (credit card only) instantly blocks your card being used to withdraw money from any Cashpoint. Your card can still be used for other Cashpoint services, such as checking your balance.
Freeze contactless
This instantly blocks contactless payments with your debit or credit card.
But please note the following difference:
- Freezing your debit card also stops contactless payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Freezing your credit card doesn’t stop contactless payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
If you don’t recognise a transaction, there’s no need to worry. Have a look at our online guide to see what steps you should take.
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