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It can be scary and frustrating to discover that your bank account has been frozen, particularly in a time when very few of us have cash to hand. Unable to pay for goods or services, or to pay your direct debits and bills, can leave you in a tricky situation. The good news is that it's fairly quick and easy to unlock your bank account, even if it's been locked while you're travelling overseas. This guide lists what steps to take to unlock your bank account. And because prevention is better than a cure, we'll also explain how to avoid having your account locked in the first place. You can also compare a range of travel debit cards in this guide that are convenient options for accessing your money overseas. Why might my account be locked?In the modern world of online banking, mobile payments, ATMs and PINs, banks need to be more vigilant than ever to protect their customers against fraud. Phishing, email scams, online hacking and good old-fashioned identity theft are just some of the risks banks must monitor and provide protection against. As part of this protection, banks have systems in place to monitor customer accounts for any suspicious activity, such as a rarely-used credit card all of a sudden being used to rack up thousands of dollars of spending. Another tell-tale sign of suspicious account activity is when your Australian credit or debit card is, without warning, used to make a range of purchases overseas. How to unlock your accountIf you need to “unlock” your account, you’ll need to contact your bank as soon as possible. If your account has been locked because of a security issue, you might find the only way to do this is by phoning your bank’s emergency assistance or help line. If the bank thinks there is suspicious activity on your account, you might have trouble logging in to Internet or mobile banking. Make sure you have your bank account and personal details to hand so you can quickly identify yourself to the bank. If you're overseas, you can make a reverse charges call to find out what is going on and regain access to your account. Just remember that it’s a good idea to use a landline if possible, as overseas calls from mobiles can be ridiculously expensive. The contact details of some of Australia’s “Big Four” banks are listed below: Contact numbers for Australian banks
How to avoid your bank account being frozen
Using your bank account overseasOne cause for accounts being frozen is when consumers use their cards overseas without telling their financial institution they are travelling. This is arguably one of the most frustrating situations, as you are left without access to your finances in a different country. You can, and should, still contact your bank immediately so it can resolve the issue and unfreeze your account. Overseas money tipsConsider a travel money card. Loading up a travel money card with foreign currency before you go allows you to take advantage of the best exchange rate and avoid unnecessary fees. It also means if something does happen to your bank account, you can still access these funds. Get travel insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance can provide protection against lost or stolen credit cards and the theft of cash, including cover for credit card fraud. Use cash and cards. Make sure to take a combination of cash and cards with you so you can pay for all your purchases. Lock it or block it. If you're worried about falling victim to thieves or fraudsters while overseas, you can contact your bank before you go to lock or block your credit card, or perhaps lower your transaction limit.
Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases. T&Cs apply. Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases. T&Cs apply. Compare travel debit cardsCompare travel debit cards Rebecca Pike is Finder's senior writer for money. She joined Finder after almost four years writing for business publications in the mortgage and finance industry, including three years as editor of Mortgage Professional Australia. More guides on Finder
How can I unlock my bank account?If you need to “unlock” your account, you'll need to contact your bank as soon as possible. If your account has been locked because of a security issue, you might find the only way to do this is by phoning your bank's emergency assistance or help line.
How long does your bank account stay locked?If your debit card is locked, it will typically stay that way for up to 15 days. This can vary depending on your bank or credit card issuer, so it's always best to check with them directly if you're unsure. If your card is still locked after 15 days, you may need to contact your issuer to have it unlocked.
Can you call a bank to unlock your account?If your account is frozen for any reason, you should immediately call your bank to speak to a customer service representative. In most cases, you'll be able to verify your identity and get your card unlocked almost instantly.
What does it mean when your online banking is locked?For security reasons, if you enter your password incorrectly three times you'll be locked out of Internet Banking. This is to protect you against an unauthorised person trying to access your bank account.
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Why is my bank account locked
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