How long does a card stay locked?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

When it comes to locking a card, the duration of the lock can vary depending on the issuer. In most cases, locks are indefinite, meaning they remain in place until you manually unlock the card. However, there are some issuers who automatically lift the lock after a certain period of time, usually one week.

Personally, I’ve had experiences with both types of locks. Some issuers allow me to lock my card indefinitely, giving me complete control over when to unlock it. This can be useful if I want to prevent any unauthorized transactions or if I’ve misplaced my card and want to ensure its safety. In these cases, I have the freedom to keep the lock on for as long as I need.

On the other hand, there have been instances where I’ve encountered automatic locks that lift after a week. This means that if I’ve forgotten to unlock my card within that time frame, the lock will be removed automatically. While this can be convenient for those who may forget to unlock their cards, it also means that the card could potentially be vulnerable if left unlocked unintentionally.

It’s worth noting that issuers usually don’t restrict the number of times you can lock or unlock a card. This means that you have the flexibility to lock and unlock your card as many times as you see fit. Whether you want to lock it for a short period or keep it locked for an extended duration, the choice is yours.

To sum it up, the duration of a card lock can vary depending on the issuer. Most locks are indefinite, but automatic locks that lift after one week are also common. Regardless of the type of lock, issuers generally allow unlimited locking and unlocking of the card.