Can you block someone from charging your bank account?

Ugh, that sinking feeling when you see a charge you didn’t authorize on your bank account! Been there. Can you actually block someone from doing that? Well, sort of. It’s more about stopping them after it’s happened and preventing it in the future. So, what can you do?

First, try going straight to the source. I remember this one time, I had signed up for a subscription box (you know, the kind with all the cute little trinkets?) and totally forgot about it. Months later, bam! Charges I wasn’t expecting. So I called their customer service, super nice and polite (even though I was internally panicking a little!), and they were able to stop the recurring payments. Lesson learned: Contact the merchant directly! Talk to their billing or customer service department and tell them you want to revoke authorization for any future payments. Makes sense, right?

And here’s a pro-tip: Get it in writing! Ask for their fax number (yes, some people still use those!), an email address, or a mailing address to confirm the cancellation. It’s like having a paper trail, just in case something goes wrong later. Trust me, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

If talking to the merchant doesn’t work (sometimes you get those companies that are a real pain!), then it’s time to bring in the big guns: your bank. Let them know about the unauthorized charges. They might be able to help you block future payments from that specific merchant. I had a situation once where a gym kept charging me even after I canceled my membership. It was such a hassle! My bank was amazing though, they investigated it and refunded the money. Sometimes, if the problem keeps happening, they might even suggest getting a new debit or credit card number. It’s a bit of a pain, I know, but it can be the best solution in the long run. Who needs that stress, right?

#Bankaccount #Blockcharges #Fraudprevention