In this article, we’re answering “What is debit card hotlisting?” This will be important for anyone with an international payment card who believes the card is lost or stolen.
Additionally, we will include a discussion on the two types of hotlisting, what you can do if your debit card has been hotlisted, and how you can de-hotlist your debit card right now.
This article is part of our free series on accessing and benefiting from offshore debit cards, which you can access for free by clicking the link above.
Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to any sections that are immediately relevant to your search.
Table of Contents
- What Is Debit Card Hotlisting
- How Can I Remove the Hotlist From My Debit Card?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Explore Your Options?
What Is Debit Card Hotlisting?
Debit card hotlisting is what happens when a bank believes your card may be compromised. Depending on the bank, hotlisting may be temporary or permanent. If your debit card has been temporarily hotlisted, you can request that it is de-hotlisted. If the debit card hotlisting is permanent, you will need to request a new debit card.
Not surprisingly, accidental hotlisting can be very inconvenient, especially if you are traveling and need access to funds via ATM withdrawals. With this in mind, it is generally best practice to inform your bank anytime you are traveling and plan to use your debit card in a new country, whether that involves airport transactions or transactions at your final destination.
Alternatively, if you want added security, you may want to consider using international credit cards when traveling. This provides additional consumer protections and can also save you money with no (or low) foreign transaction fees. Of course, if you need access to physical cash, you may still require debit cards.
How Can I Remove the Hotlist From My Debit Card?
Certain banks allow customers to de-hotlist their cards. However, this is only possible if the hotlisting is temporary. Permanently hotlisted cards are not able to be reinstated and will need to be replaced.
Of course, if you would like to de-hotlist your debit card, you will need to contact customer support or visit a branch of your bank. There you can request that the hotlist be removed and the card reactivated.
Do You Want Our Free Non-Resident Banking Guide?
Sign up here to receive our Free Non-Resident Banking Starter Guide and weekly updates on the best account opening options available:
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are three of the most common questions that we receive from people looking into what debit card hotlisting is. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.
What Does Card Hotlisting Mean?
Card hotlisting refers to a debit card that has been blocked by a bank (“hotlisted”) because the bank believes that it has been compromised in some way. For example, this may include being stolen or the card information being shared publicly in an open forum. When a card is hotlisted, a new card is often issued immediately and sent to the cardholder to the address on file.
Why Does My Debit Card Get Hotlisted?
Your debit card may get hotlisted if the bank believes the card has been stolen, canceled, or at risk in some way. When a card is hotlisted, you will not be able to complete any transactions. That said, certain banks will allow you to contact customer support to reactivate your card, while other banks will cancel the card entirely and issue a replacement.
Can Blocked Debit Cards Be Reactivated?
Yes, blocked debit cards can be reactivated. However, if your bank believes the card is stolen, it’s possible that they will cancel the debit card entirely. When this happens, a new card will need to be issued, which may be automatically done by the bank. In these instances, a new card is automatically sent to your address on file.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If so, you can access GlobalBanks Insider and start the process of applying for an offshore account in a few clicks.
GlobalBanks Insider is a dedicated account opening solution that involves direct support from our team and direct introductions to the banks of your choosing. It gives you instant access to the…
+ Direct support from a team of banking experts
+ Direct introductions to your desired banks
+ Answers to your most pressing questions and challenges
+ Expert insights on which banks to choose & why
+ Plus FULL access to our entire suite of account opening tools and intelligence!
And “yes!” GlobalBanks Insider is designed to help foreign and non-resident individuals and companies open bank accounts.
You can learn more on the products page from the main menu above.
