How to block your ATM card when its lost or stolen

The ATM card is that all important key that provides access to your bank accounts. Therefore, it should be kept well protected and safe at all times/ but what happens when your ATM card gets stolen or lost. As nobody is perfect in this world, so sometimes we might end up losing important stuff. There are situations were by it gets stolen by criminals who want some of that hard earned cash you have packed in your bank account. So when you find out your ATM card is missing or stolen and you are very sure you left home carrying the card. Then follow this easy steps to contact your bank to immediately block the card as it usually takes hackers less than 2-3 hours to crack your passwords and withdraw money from your account. If you are unlucky and the ATM card was stolen, then there is a very high chance that your pin is already known. And you have about 30-60 minutes before the culprit starts clearing your account. Here are some ways to easily blocked your ATM immediately you couldn’t find it.

• Once you figured out the card is absolutely gone, check the time, is the bank still open, if yes rush to the bank as soon as possible. Once you get inside, go straight to the customer care representative, explain as simple and as quick as possible. They will block your card after a you provide just a few personal information about your account that is only known by you personally. The ATM card will be blocked immediately.

• In case the banks are already closed and you have access to a cellphone, then immediately call the customer care number of that bank. The number can be found on the banks website, their ATM machines, advertisement billboards and behind your ATM card. When you call, they will confirm your NUBAN (Account Number) number together with some information that only you the owner of that account will know and they will swiftly block the card.

Note: The call is not toll free, which means you will be charge for every second you spend speaking. The trick here is when you make the call and they tell you to wait for the next free agent, wait only for 15-20 seconds then hang-up and call again. Although some banks answer calls immediately, others are not as swift in this aspect.

• If you have access to the internet you can email the bank but this way usually takes a bit of time, it isn’t ideal especially if you keep hearing alert of thousands of naira disappearing from your bank account. The trick here is go to banks twitter or Facebook page (there is always a bank agent active on that page) what you want to do is post or tweet on that page that your ATM card has being stolen, you want it blocked. They will respond immediately through a direct message to your inbox. Which you will provide a few information about your account and just like that, the card will be blocked.

It is also possible to block the card through your internet banking platform, just log into your account and select the option to disable the card.

Note

If you have an account with Gt Bank (Guaranty trust Bank) you can send a message to the following number together with your bank account number, the message must be sent with the mobile phone number that your bank account is attached, all you need to do is send “HOTLIST (your account number) to this number 08076665555

For those with Union Bank account, you can block your card by send an SMS in this format
"BLOCKCARD your account number"  to 20123 e.g
BLOCKCARD 012987654  then send it to 20123.

Diamond bank account holders not only can they block their cards but they can unblock it via the Diamond bank mobile application. They can also block it by sending a text message with the following contents "card off" to 30811. To unblock it incase you find your ATM card, just send "card on" to 30811.

This message should be sent via SMS and with the phone registered and attached to the account number in question. You should also know that normal SMS charges apply.