You can freeze your Bank of America checking account through the mobile app, online banking, or by calling customer service
Bank of America calls this feature Card Lock, and it stops transactions on your debit card without closing the account or affecting direct deposits and bill payments. You can turn it on and off as many times as you need. The freeze takes effect within seconds when you use the app or website, and within minutes when you call.
A frozen checking account is different from a locked one. Freezing prevents new charges but keeps the account open and active. Direct deposits, ACH transfers, and automatic bill payments continue to process. If you need to stop all activity entirely—including incoming transfers—you would close the account instead, which is a separate process.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America's Card Lock feature freezes your debit card in seconds through the app, website, or phone, but does not stop direct deposits or bill payments.
- You can freeze and unfreeze your card as many times as you want; there is no limit and no fee.
- A frozen card still allows ATM withdrawals at Bank of America machines if you know your PIN, but blocks point-of-sale purchases and online transactions.
- If someone has fraudulent access to your account, report it to Bank of America's fraud line at 1-800-432-1000 before or after freezing the card.
Freeze your card through the Bank of America mobile app
Open the Bank of America app and log in. Tap the card you want to freeze—if you have multiple cards, make sure you select the debit card linked to your checking account. You will see a toggle or button labeled "Lock Card" or "Card Lock." Tap it. The app will ask you to confirm; tap again to lock. The card is frozen immediately.
To unfreeze, open the app, select the same card, and tap the toggle or button again. You will see a message confirming the card is now unlocked. The entire process takes less than a minute and works even if you are offline—the freeze syncs to Bank of America's system as soon as you have a connection.
Freeze your card through online banking
Log into your Bank of America account at bankofamerica.com. Go to the Accounts section and select the checking account. Look for the debit card associated with that account and click on it. You will see a "Lock Card" or "Card Lock" option. Click it and confirm when prompted. The freeze is active immediately.
To unlock, return to the same card in your account settings and click the unlock option. You do not need to verify your identity again if you are already logged in. If you are locked out of your online account, you will need to call customer service to freeze the card by phone instead.
Freeze your card by phone
Call Bank of America's customer service line at 1-800-433-1000 (for checking accounts) or 1-800-432-1000 (for fraud-related freezes). Have your debit card number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready. Tell the representative you want to freeze your card. They will confirm your identity and activate the freeze within minutes.
The phone line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are calling because of suspected fraud, mention that immediately—the fraud team may open an investigation and issue you a replacement card at no cost. Freezing the card does not replace a fraud report; you need to do both.
What still works when your card is frozen
Direct deposits continue to land in your checking account. Automatic bill payments and ACH transfers you have set up will process normally. You can still withdraw cash from Bank of America ATMs using your PIN, though some ATMs may reject the card if the freeze has not synced yet—try a different machine or call customer service if this happens.
Online banking and mobile app access are not affected. You can still transfer money between your own accounts, send money to other people through Bank of America's transfer service, and view your balance and transaction history. The freeze only blocks new charges made with the physical card or card number at merchants.
What stops working when your card is frozen
Point-of-sale purchases at stores and restaurants will be declined. Online purchases using your debit card number will be declined. Recurring subscriptions charged to the card will fail. Gas pump transactions, hotel holds, and rental car charges will all be blocked. Contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) linked to that card will also be declined.
If a merchant tries to charge your card while it is frozen, the transaction will simply fail—you will not be charged and no fraud alert will be triggered. The merchant may ask you to use a different payment method. Once you unfreeze the card, new charges will go through normally.
Freezing versus closing your checking account
Freezing stops transactions but keeps the account open. Closing the account ends it permanently and stops all activity, including direct deposits and automatic payments. If you freeze your card and then need to make a purchase, you can unfreeze it in seconds. If you close the account, you cannot reopen it—you would have to open a new one.
Close your account only if you are switching banks or no longer need the account. Freezing is the right choice if you have lost your card, suspect fraud, or want to prevent accidental charges while you are traveling. You can freeze and unfreeze as many times as you want at no cost.
What to do if your card is lost or stolen
Freeze the card immediately using the app, website, or phone. Then report the loss or theft to Bank of America's fraud line at 1-800-432-1000. The fraud team will document the report and may issue you a replacement card, which usually arrives within 5 to 7 business days. You can request expedited shipping in some cases.
While you wait for the replacement, you can still access your money through ATM withdrawals, online transfers, and direct deposits. If the card was used fraudulently before you froze it, report those charges to the fraud line as well. Bank of America will investigate and reverse unauthorized transactions, though this process can take 10 business days or longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze just one card if I have multiple debit cards?
Yes. If you have more than one debit card linked to your checking account, you can freeze one and leave the others active. Select the specific card in the app or website before freezing. This is useful if you have a primary card and a backup card, or if one card is compromised but the others are not.
Will freezing my card affect my credit score?
No. Freezing a debit card has no impact on your credit score because it does not involve credit. Your credit score is based on credit accounts like credit cards and loans. Freezing a debit card is purely a security measure on a checking account.
What happens if I freeze my card and then forget to unfreeze it?
Your card will remain frozen until you unfreeze it. There is no automatic expiration. Direct deposits and bill payments will continue, but any attempt to use the card at a store or online will be declined. You can unfreeze it anytime through the app, website, or phone.
Can Bank of America freeze my account without my permission?
Bank of America can restrict or freeze your account if they detect suspicious activity, if your account is overdrawn, or if there is a legal hold (such as a court order or tax levy). If this happens, you will receive a notice in the mail or through your online account. Call customer service to find out why and what steps you need to take to restore access.
Is there a fee to freeze or unfreeze my card?
No. Bank of America does not charge a fee for using Card Lock. You can freeze and unfreeze your card as many times as you want at no cost.