Why Is My Debit Card Declined When I Have Money?

“Why is my debit card declined when I have money?”

This is a more common question than you might expect. In fact, regardless of where you bank or the type of international withdrawal option you’re using, or which bank you have accounts with, debit cards can be declined for a wide range of reasons.

In this article, we’ll look at how you can figure out why your debit card was declined (even though you have funds) and also answer common questions.

This article is part of our free series on debit cards, including offshore debit cards, which you can access by clicking here.

Feel free to use the table of contents to jump ahead to the sections most relevant to you.

Table of Contents

  1. Why Is My Debit Card Declined When I Have Money?
  2. Reasons for Why a Debit Card May Be Declined
  3. What Should I Do if My Card Is Declined but I Have Money?
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. Ready to Explore Your Options?

Why Is My Debit Card Declined When I Have Money?

Why your debit card was declined when you have money available will depend on your card, your bank, the terms of your account, and where you are trying to use your card. For example, fraud alerts, expiration, daily limits, and restrictions on the money in your account can all lead to your debit card being declined. 

Reasons for Why a Debit Card May Be Declined

There are a number of reasons why a debit card may be declined, which range from inaccurate information, and suspicious withdrawal behavior, to your bank placing a hold on transactions for security reasons. The below list provides an overview of common reasons why your debit card may be declined. However, you should ultimately contact your bank to determine why your card is not working.

Reasons for Why a Credit Card My Be Declined

  • Incorrect security pin or card details
  • Expired card or a card that hasn’t been activated
  • Insufficient funds for the transaction
  • Bank placed a hold on a recent deposit
  • No bank overdraft protection
  • Physical card may be damaged
  • Transaction blocked due to fraud alert
  • And more

What Should I Do if My Card Is Declined but I Have Money?

What you should do if your card is declined but you have money in the account ultimately depends on the bank and the card you use. That said, the first step is to confirm whether your card is expired. Not to mention, you are inserting the correct information when making a purchase.

If your card is valid and all of the details are correct, you can then review your online banking to make sure you have available funds and there is no hold on the account. Additionally, when checking online banking you should be able to see if the bank is blocking transactions due to a mistaken fraud alert.

If after reviewing your card and online banking you still cannot determine why your card is being declined, you will need to contact your bank directly. Speaking with a customer service representative over the phone or in person should quickly resolve the issue for you. Or, at the very least identify why your card is being blocked.

How to Avoid Having My Card Declined

You can avoid having your card declined by following a few simple steps. These steps include confirming the expiry date on your card, confirming you have the available funds for a purchase, and even informing your bank before travel. That said, there are additional steps you can take to make sure that your card is not declined as well.

  • Confirm the expiry date of your card
  • Confirm that you have funds available
  • Inform your bank before making large purchases
  • Inform your bank before traveling
  • Confirm the daily limit on your card
  • Check to see if your bank has deposit restrictions
  • Check if your bank offers overdraft protection

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are three of the most common questions that we receive from people that need an answer to “why is my debit card declined when I have money”. If you have further questions you would like answered, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly.

Why Is My Card Being Declined?

It’s possible your card is being declined for several reasons. Including an expired card, restrictions on funds, surpassing daily transaction limits, triggering a fraud alert, an international purchase, and more. With this in mind, if you do not see any specific reason for why your card is being declined when logging into your online banking, you should contact the bank directly and confirm why this is happening.

How Do You Fix a Declined Debit Card?

How you fix a declined debit card will ultimately depend on why your debit card is being declined by the bank. First, you need to confirm that your card is valid. But also, the information you are using to complete the transaction is correct. Second, you should check to confirm that you have available funds in the account. Next, you should check to see if the bank is blocking the transaction due to fraud alerts.

Why Was My Debit Card Declined for an Online Purchase?

Your debit card may have been declined for an online purchase for a number of reasons. These reasons can include completing a transaction with an unrecognized retailer, triggering a fraud alert with your bank, the card may be expired, or due to restrictions or limitations on your account or available funds. With this in mind, if your debit card continues to be declined when making an online purchase, you will need to contact your bank to resolve the issue.

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GlobalBanks Team
GlobalBanks Team

The GlobalBanks editorial team comprises a group of subject-matter experts from across the banking world, including former bankers, analysts, investors, and entrepreneurs. All have in-depth knowledge and experience in various aspects of international banking. In particular, they have expertise in banking for foreigners, non-residents, and both foreign and offshore companies.

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