Top 12 reasons your debit card was declined

There are 12 reasons why your debit card may have been declined. Here are a few ways to fix the problem and avoid it from happening in the future. These steps can help you avoid or address declines and ensure smoother transactions with your debit card.

5. Your bank was suspicious of the transaction

Most banks reserve the right to decline any transaction they deem to be out of character with your normal spending or withdrawal habits. In most cases, this can be cleared up at the register with a quick call to the bank, but it still could cause you some embarrassment. Some banks have security features in place and can be a little too safe and block authentic transactions.

6. You’ve made an international purchase

Many accounts now offer Visa or Mastercard debit cards, which allow you to use them when traveling overseas. This is a convenient and secure way to make your overseas purchases and ATM withdrawals. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work the way you intended, and you could find yourself without access to your money if your debit card is declined.

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7. Technical issues

While there are many situations where you could be at fault for a declined card, that’s not always the case. Merchants and banks sometimes have issues processing debit transactions, even when you’ve done everything right. It could be due to their Internet connection, too many transactions processed at once, a power failure somewhere along the network or a handful of other reasons.

8. Your joint holder deactivated your card

If you’ve opened a joint banking account with your spouse, partner or other family member they’re allowed to deactivate your debit card without permission from you. If this happens, you won’t be able to make purchases or withdrawing cash.

9. You’re in a geoblocked area

Some financial institutions add geoblocking features to their debit cards, which prohibit you from using your card in certain countries or regions where fraudulent activities may be high.

10. You don’t have enough funds

This is the most common cause of a debit card being declined, and one that you can easily avoid by keeping careful track of your spending money. Unless you have overdraft protection, most banks will not allow you to make a purchase or withdrawal that goes beyond your available balance.

11. You’re attempting to withdraw too much

Along the same lines as having insufficient funds in your account is attempting an ATM withdrawal that exceeds your account balance. Trying to do this will automatically result in a declined transaction.

12. You’re purchasing a gift card

Some debit or credit card issuers prohibit the purchase of gift cards due to fraud and the increase of using stolen cards to purchase prepaid gift cards. Also, some retailers like Giant Food grocery stores, have policies put in place disallowing the purchase of gift cards with a credit or debit card to try to minimize potential fraud. Though it’s more common for a credit card to get rejected.

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Contacting your bank? Have this required information ready

If you have questions about why your debit card was declined, the best thing to do is call your institution directly. In most situations, a customer service representative can help you reset your PIN, unfreeze your account, verify a purchase, increase your withdrawal limits and more. But make sure you have this information on hand before you call because you’ll need to verify your identity:

• Full name
• Physical address tied to your account
• Answers to any security questions you set up
• Social Security number

Have a backup plan

Having your debit card declined can be frustrating and embarrassing. While some declines are out of your control, most can be avoided by taking some simple precautions. It also pays to carry an alternative payment method with you on your travels – a credit card is an ideal back up thanks to their perks and flexibility. And as always, compare your debit card options until you find one that suits your spending habits.

Average credit card debt

The average American is carrying just shy of $4K in debt.

Frequently asked questions

Will I be able to fix a declined card problem while making a purchase?

Depending on the reason, a declined debit card issue may be resolved immediately. This could involve a phone call to the bank by the merchant, who will pass the call to you to verify certain details.

How do I know the daily withdrawal limit?

Read the fine print found on the financial institution’s website or in the documentation given to you by the bank when the account was activated. There’s a section that outlines how much you are permitted to withdraw daily.

If a deposited check has not yet cleared the account, will I still be able to make a withdrawal of that money?

Only if you have overdraft protection. A debit card can only access your available funds, not any transactions that are still awaiting authorization.[/fin_accordion]

How do I update my personal information on my debit card?

If you are registered for online or mobile banking, you can go to your account overview and find your profile. Once you’ve located your information, there should be an option to update or change it. You can also call your bank’s customer service line or visit a branch to speak with a representative who can help you change your information.