Why am I locked out of my online banking?
Some of the most common reasons include illegal activity, a court order for unpaid debts or taxes, a clerical error, or because the bank suspects a criminal gained access to your personal information. It can be frustrating to be locked out of your finances without knowing why.
This is likely a standard message indicating that you've merely entered an invalid User ID or password. If you receive this message and need assistance logging in to your account, click on the “Forgot User ID” or “Forgot Password” links and then follow the prompts.
Contact your bank as soon as possible to report the issue and request a reset of your password. You can call them or visit a branch. They will need to verify your identity, so if you visit a branch, bring photo ID. If it is out of your bank's normal business hours, contact their emergency assistance or help line.
The main reasons accounts get blocked:
Suspected fraud. Lack of use. Suspicious transactions. Disputes with your bank.
- Ensure You're Using the Correct Website. ...
- Check Your Bank's Service Status. ...
- Check Your Credentials. ...
- Update Your Browser. ...
- Disable Your Browser's Extensions. ...
- Disable Your VPN. ...
- Check Your Tracking Protection Settings.
For a bank error, the account may be locked for 7 to 10 days, though it could be potentially longer. If the problem is more complicated, the account may stay locked for up to 30 days or more.
Don't worry, you can still use your debit card at ATMs and to pay for things. But you'll need to unlock it to use with your card reader in Online Banking.
If your bank has suspected that you used your account illegally, they can also close your account without any notice. It can also prevent you from doing business in the future.
| Scenario | Action Required | Estimated Time to Unfreeze |
|---|---|---|
| Legal or Compliance Review | Completion of legal processes or compliance reviews. | Varies (could be weeks or months). |
| Security Concerns | Resolution of security issues such as suspected identity theft. | 5 to 30 days. |
How Do You Know if Your Bank Account is Frozen? If you have a frozen bank account, you won't be able to use your ATM and Credit/Debit cards as well. Each time, you'll see an error message on the screen, and any transaction that you make will fail to process.
What does it mean when your account is locked?
There are numerous factors that may contribute to an account becoming locked or disabled. In most cases, an account is locked when a password has been entered incorrectly too many times. When this happens, you will need to wait 15 minutes for your account to unlock before you can try again.
How Long Can a Bank Freeze an Account for? There is no set timeline that banks have before they have to unfreeze an account.
Dear Sirs, I request you to Unblock the Password for Internet Banking service used in the below mentioned account. I hereby declare that I am aware of the password previously set in the User ID and no password reset is required. Name of the Customer/Firm: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
- Involuntary account closure.
- Excessive overdrafts or nonsufficient funds incidents.
- Unpaid fees or negative account balances, whether from an active or closed account.
- Suspected fraud or identity theft.
- Applying for too many bank accounts over a short period of time.
Message and data rates may apply. When you place a lock on your debit or ATM card via Online or Mobile Banking, it will prevent most types of card transactions from being processed until you take action to unlock your card. Any virtual cards linked to the locked card will also be locked.
The government can also request an account freeze for any unpaid taxes or student loans. Once the bank account is frozen, you cannot make withdrawals but can only put money in your account until the freeze is lifted.
Direct deposits don't go onto a debit card, they are paid into the bank account the debit card is attached to, so locking the card should not affect deposits going into the account. The card number is a number on the visa/mastercard transaction system. The direct deposits go through to a bank account.
You are able to check the balance and the movement of your Blocked Account in several ways. To learn more about this feature, you can read about it further below: How can I check the balance of my Blocked Account online? How can I download my Bank Statement?
Of course, the bank must return any remaining funds in your account but may hold on to them to cover any negative balance or fees. In some cases, the bank may hold the funds if your account is flagged for suspicious activities, which is increasingly common.
Banks may close an account due to inactivity, excessive overdraft fees, or suspected fraud. Banks do not have to warn customers in advance of account closures. You won't be able to reopen the account but can file a formal complaint with your bank's regulating body.
What happens when your bank account is under investigation?
In these cases, the bank may be required to verify the amount of assets held in an account to ensure they're divided properly. It may also be due to a lawsuit, or investigation of a suspected crime like embezzlement or money laundering. In any of these cases, the bank is legally obligated to follow these orders.
Blocked accounts restrict account owners from unlimited and unrestricted use of their funds in that account. Accounts may be blocked or limited for a variety of reasons, including internal bank policies, external regulations, or via a court order or legal decision.
Yes. Generally, banks may close accounts, for any reason and without notice. Some reasons could include inactivity or low usage.
To unfreeze your bank account, you must contact your bank to figure out the issue and resolve the underlying problem, such as paying off debts or providing evidence of innocence. Unfreezing an account is at the bank's discretion and is not always guaranteed.
To unblock your credit card online, you can visit your bank's mobile application or official website and apply for 'reissue' or 'reactivation' of your credit card. Alternatively, you can also connect with your bank's customer service executives telephonically or by visiting the bank's branch physically.
