To lock your PayPal card, open the PayPal app and tap Accounts, select PayPal Balance, tap PayPal Debit Card, tap Manage card, and then slide the Lock card toggle to the on position. This temporarily blocks new purchases, ATM withdrawals, and cash advances while still allowing pending and recurring transactions to process, much like a lockbox in banking secures incoming payments while keeping essential operations running.
What locking your PayPal card does
A card lock is a feature that temporarily blocks a credit or debit card from any new charges. It is available for both PayPal Debit Cards and PayPal Credit Cards. Locking your card can help avoid unauthorized or fraudulent charges if it is lost, misplaced, or suspected to be compromised. When a card is locked, new purchases (in-store and online), ATM withdrawals (for debit cards), and cash advances (for credit cards) will be stopped. However, pending transactions and previously authorized payments, such as recurring payments, will still go through even if the card is locked. This is different from reporting a card lost or stolen, which permanently closes the card and issues a replacement.
How to lock your PayPal Debit Card in the app
- Open the PayPal app on your mobile device and log in to your account.
- Tap "Accounts" at the bottom of the screen.
- Select "PayPal Balance" from the list of accounts.
- Tap "PayPal Debit Card" under your balance.
- Tap the "Manage card" tab.
- Slide the "Lock card" toggle to the "on" position.
Once you complete these steps, your PayPal Debit Card is locked. You will see a confirmation on the screen indicating that the lock is active.
How to lock your PayPal Credit Card
To lock your PayPal Credit Card using the PayPal app or website, log in to your account. Navigate to your "Wallet" on the app or website. Select your PayPal Credit Card from the list of payment methods. Choose the option to temporarily lock it. After confirming, the card will be locked. Note that locking your PayPal Credit Card only blocks card transactions; you can still make online purchases using your PayPal Credit account when checking out with PayPal.
What to do if your card is lost or stolen
Locking your card is a temporary measure. If you are certain your card is lost or stolen, you should report it as such. Reporting a card lost or stolen will permanently close the card and lead to a replacement being issued. To report a lost or stolen PayPal Debit Card, contact PayPal customer support or follow the steps in your account settings. For a PayPal Credit Card, report it through the same channels. Do not rely on the lock feature as a permanent solution if the card is truly gone.
How to unlock your card
To unlock your card, reverse the lock process. For a PayPal Credit Card, navigate to your Wallet, select the card, and choose the unlock option. Restoring full card functionality is immediate after you confirm the unlock.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use PayPal Credit online if my card is locked?
Yes. If you have a PayPal Credit Card, locking the card only blocks card transactions.
Will recurring payments fail?
No. Only new purchases, ATM withdrawals, and cash advances are stopped.
How do I know my lock is active?
The toggle will remain in the on position, and the card status will show as locked. If you are unsure, you can check the Manage card tab for your PayPal Debit Card or the card details in your Wallet for your PayPal Credit Card. If you need to know how to lock chime card, the process is different and requires using the Chime app instead of PayPal, and you may want to know the Chime card lock duration before auto-unlock if you rely on temporary holds.
