Suits Me® Simplified: Banking 101

Why Was My Card Declined? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

It’s not just “insufficient funds” that results in your debit card being declined…

We’ve all been there – at the checkout, ready to pay, then your debit card declines. It’s frustrating and can be embarrassing, especially when you know there’s money in your account. But it doesn’t always mean something’s seriously wrong. These days, we tap our cards and enter our PINs without much thought, but there are a few common reasons your debit card payment might not go through.

The good news? Most issues are quick and easy to fix.

This guide covers why your debit card might be declined and what you can do to get it working again.

Why Was My Card Declined When I Have Money?

Sometimes your card is declined or your debit card doesn’t work even when there’s money in your account, and that can be confusing. Here are the most likely reasons:

Your Available Balance Might Be Lower Than You Think

It might sound obvious, but it happens more often than you think, especially if you use multiple accounts or move your money around after payday. Maybe you transferred money into a savings account or joint account and forgot to top up your main balance. Or maybe a subscription payment comes out just before your purchase. Either way, you’ve got less money than you thought in your account.

Tip: Open your Suits Me app to check your live balance before making big payments. It’s an easy way to avoid surprises.

You Entered The Wrong Information

Human error is one of the most common reasons a debit card is declined. It’s easily done – entering the wrong PIN at the shop, mistyping your card number online, or putting in your old billing address without realising.

If you enter your PIN or security details incorrectly several times, your card might be temporarily blocked for security. Double-check your details before confirming your payment – it’ll save you time and hassle later.

Tip: You can check your PIN in your Suits Me app straight from your phone.

Your Purchase Was Flagged as Fraud

Sometimes your bank’s fraud detection system steps in to protect your account. Your transaction might be declined if:

  • You’re spending more than usual
  • You’re buying from a new or overseas website
  • You’re using your card somewhere unexpected
  • You’ve tried to submit a payment several times in a row

This doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with your account – it’s just your bank being cautious. If you think a payment has been blocked in error, check your app or get in touch with Suits Me’s customer care team.

You Have a Large Pending Transaction

Pending payments (like hotel deposits or car hire bookings) temporarily hold a chunk of your available balance. If you forget it’s there, you might think you have more money than you actually do. That could lead to a declined payment if your remaining balance isn’t enough to cover the next transaction.

Your Debit Card Has Expired Or Is Inactive

It happens! If you’re using an old card that’s expired or never activated your replacement, your payment won’t go through. Check the expiry date and make sure your card is active in your app.

Your Debit Card Is Damaged

A cracked chip or scratched magnetic strip can stop your card from working, especially at ATMs or chip-and-PIN machines. If your card isn’t working physically but works online, that might be the issue. If your Suits Me card isn’t working, you can order another one through the app.

You’ve Exceeded Your Daily Limit

Suits Me accounts come with spending and withdrawal limits to help keep your money safe. If you’ve hit your limit for the day, your next transaction could be declined, even if the money’s there. 

You’re Travelling

If you’re abroad or making a payment on an overseas website, your card might be declined because of security checks. It’s a good idea to let Suits Me know before you travel so we can make sure your account works smoothly while you’re away. If you need to withdraw money, find the nearest ATM to you with our ATM Finder.

Contactless Limit

Most banks set a limit on how many contactless payments you can make before needing to insert your card. This is a security feature to protect against fraud.

If your card is declined when tapping, it could be because you’ve hit this limit, even if you have money in your account.

What to do: simply insert your card into the reader and enter your PIN to reset contactless payments.

What to Do If Your Suits Me Card Gets Declined

Here’s what to do if your card isn’t working:

  1. Check your balance in the Suits Me app.
  2. Double-check your PIN in the app or online payment details.
  3. Look for any fraud alerts or pending transactions.
  4. Check your card status – is it frozen or inactive?
  5. Contact customer support if you’re still unsure. Our team is here to help, and we won’t judge.

How to Prevent Your Debit Card from Being Declined

A few small steps can help you avoid issues with your card in the future:

Review Your Account Regularly

Keep an eye on your balance and set up alerts so you always know what’s going in and out.

Notify Suits Me Before Travelling

Planning a trip? Let us know so your card works abroad without any hiccups.

Make Sure Your Card Is Unlocked

Use the app to freeze and unfreeze your card as needed, and check the expiry date while you’re there.

Use the App to Stay in Control

Our app gives you a real-time view of your balance, transactions, and limits, so you’re always in the know.

Need help? Having your debit card declined can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Most issues are minor and easy to sort with a quick check in your app or a chat with our support team.

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