USAA is a bank that offers services to current and retired armed forces members and their families. Among the products, the financial institution provides USAA credit cards and USAA debit cards. These plastics can stop working at any time without notice.
Therefore, you need to know what to do if your USAA debit card is not working, what methods to try to get it working again, and what steps to take.
While it may be an inconvenience for the owner, it could be a bug in the system. Either way, it is essential to know why my USAA debit card is not working and not try to do anything to get it to work, as the system may block it.
How do I activate my USAA debit card?
If you are having trouble activating your USAA debit card, you can follow the steps in the USAA Mobile App to activate it.
STEP 1. Login to the USAA Bank App.
Step 2. Select your bank account.
Step 3. Click on the “Menu” button at the top right of the screen.
Step 4. Click on the “ATM/Debit card” option.
STEP 5. Click on the “Activate debit card” button.
Step 6. Click on the green “Activate” button.
Why is my USAA debit card not working?
Suppose your USAA Bank debit card stopped working and caught you by surprise while you were trying to pay for a purchase or withdraw money. In that case, it may be because you have run out of funds in your bank account. Another common reason is that the USAA debit card has expired or been deactivated because the pin used has failed multiple times, blocking the card.
If this is not the case, it may also be because they do not receive payments at the place where you were making the purchase or because the ATM does not work to withdraw money, so you should find another store and ATM to verify if it is your debit card that does not work, or if it is the merchant or bank that does not accept USAA debit cards.
How do I get my USAA debit card working again?
If your USAA debit card is not working, there are several ways to verify why this is happening and, as a result, find a solution to the problem.
- Verify that you have sufficient balance in your account.
- Check that the card has not expired.
- Make sure your USAA debit card has not been blocked for security measures and is activated.
- Make sure you are entering the correct personal identification number (PIN).
- If you are trying to withdraw cash from an ATM or point-of-sale terminal, verify that they accept USAA debit cards.
- Verify that your USAA debit card is not damaged or worn; if it is, you will need to request a new one to replace it.
You should contact USAA Bank customer service at 210-531-USAA (8722) for advice if the above does not work. There may be a problem with the card or your account that requires only this type of assistance, as access to the bank’s system is required.
How do I unlock my USAA debit card?
To unblock a USAA debit card, you can use the USAA mobile app or website to restrict or unblock the use of your card temporarily. You can also call USAA customer service to consult with a customer service assistant and request to unblock your card.
IMPORTANT: If necessary, customer service should be informed if any suspicious or unaccomplished activity is found.
- Log in to your USAA online account with your username and password.
- Click on the “My Accounts” option from the main menu.
- Select the debit card that is blocked and click on it.
- On the next screen, click on the “Block/Unblock Card” option.
- Follow the prompts to confirm that you want to unblock the card.
- Once your card is unblocked, you will be able to use it to make purchases and withdraw money at ATMs.
You can also call USAA customer service at the number on the back of your card to unblock your debit card.
Can I use my USAA debit card internationally?
Many countries accept the USAA debit card, but there are a few things to keep in mind before using your card abroad. The first thing you should do is contact USAA bank customer service to make sure that your card is available and authorized for international use. You must request authorization with the same customer service if it is not allowed. Remember to make sure your card is enabled for international transactions.
If it is authorized, you should contact the bank to inform them that you will be using their card abroad. This could save you possible unpleasantness in the future since they could block the card due to suspicious activity.
Another point to keep in mind is the fee charged by USAA for foreign transactions. The bank charges 1% of any movement made outside the country. On the other hand, if you want to withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, you will also be charged additional fees, as is the case when transferring money to a currency other than the U.S. dollar.
TIP: Keep a record of your international transactions.
It is always advisable to bring more than one payment method on any trip. An unforeseen event can occur at any time, and it is better to be forewarned. If your USAA debit card does not work, you will have another alternative to pay, such as a backup credit card.
References
- “Enable Cookies | USAA | USAA.” / USAA | USAA, https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/faq_BankWS_Bank_Card_Activation_BankFaqL1_index.
- “How Can I Activate My USAA Debit Card?” WalletHub, https://wallethub.com/answers/sa/activate-usaa-debit-card-2140680142/.
- How to Activate Your USAA Debit Card | USAA Bank. YouTube, 28 Feb. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHE2XbJl70g.