What Is Card Lock?

Locking your credit card is a feature offered by many major credit card issuers that allows you to prevent new transactions and cash advances on your card without affecting recurring automatic payments. This feature is particularly useful if you’ve misplaced your card but believe you will retrieve it soon.

How Does Card Lock Work?

When you lock your credit card, it will be declined for any new purchases or cash advances. However, recurring payments such as gym memberships, streaming subscriptions, and utility bills will continue to be processed. Past and pending transactions will also not be affected by locking the card.

Which Credit Card Issuers Offer Card Lock?

Many major credit card issuers offer the card lock feature, including:

• Apple
• Capital One
• Chase
• Citibank
• Discover
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• State Employees Credit Union
• U.S. Bank
• Wells Fargo

When Should You Lock Your Credit Card?

There are several scenarios where locking your credit card can be beneficial:

Card is Left Behind

If you’ve left your card behind somewhere but expect to retrieve it, locking it can prevent misuse until you get it back.

Loss or Theft

If you believe your card has been lost or stolen, locking it can prevent unauthorized charges while you report the loss and request a new card.

Compromised Data

If you receive a data breach notification or a credit monitoring alert, locking your card can prevent its misuse while you check for unauthorized transactions and request a replacement card if necessary.

Seldom-Used Card

If you have an older card that you rarely use, locking it can prevent misuse. To keep the card active, consider assigning a recurring payment to it before locking it.

Does Locking Your Credit Card Hurt Your Credit?

No, locking your credit card does not affect your credit score. The status of your card as locked or unlocked is not reported to the credit bureaus. In fact, locking your card can help protect your credit score by preventing unauthorized charges.

The Bottom Line

Credit card lock is a valuable feature that can help you prevent unauthorized use of your card and provide peace of mind if your card is temporarily misplaced or seldom used. For an additional layer of security, consider free credit monitoring services that can alert you to suspicious activity on your credit accounts.

Contact O1ne Mortgage for Your Mortgage Needs

At O1ne Mortgage, we are committed to helping you with all your mortgage needs. Whether you’re looking to buy a new home, refinance your existing mortgage, or need advice on mortgage options, our team of experts is here to assist you. Call us today at 213-732-3074 to speak with one of our experienced loan officers and find the best mortgage solution for you.