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Blocking and canceling your card

Temporarily pause your Spendesk card if you've misplaced it, or permanently cancel it if it's lost, stolen, or damaged.

For: Cardholders (Requesters), Admins, and Account Owners managing a Spendesk card.

Before you start

  • Cardholders can block or cancel their own card at any time from their account.

  • Admins and Account Owners can block or cancel a card on behalf of a teammate.

  • Cancelling a card is permanent. Only block it temporarily if you expect to use it again.

Temporarily block your card

  1. Navigate to the Cards tab.

  2. Locate the card you want to pause.

  3. Click Block.

  4. Confirm the action if prompted.

Mobile App:

  1. Open the Spendesk app and go to "My Cards."

  2. Select the card you want to block.

  3. Tap "Block my card."

Expected result: Your card is paused immediately and can't be used for new transactions.

To unblock your card:

  1. Navigate to the Cards tab.

  2. Click Unblock on the paused card.

Tip: Blocking your card temporarily doesn't cancel it. You can unblock it yourself at any time, unless an Admin blocked it for you or it was blocked automatically (for example, after failed PIN attempts).

If your card was blocked due to suspicious transactions, Spendesk will conduct an investigation. To expedite the process, contact support@spendesk.com with the following details:

  • Cardholder's email

  • Date of the transaction

  • Transaction amount

  • Name of the supplier

Permanently cancel your card

  1. Navigate to the Cards tab.

  2. Click Block on the card you want to cancel.

  3. Click Report it as....

  4. Select a reason from the dropdown menu (for example, Lost, Stolen, Damaged, or Unused).

  5. Confirm the cancellation.

Note: For virtual cards, fully used single-use cards are automatically cancelled. Multi-use or subscription cards can be paused or permanently cancelled through the card details section.

Expected result: Your card is cancelled immediately and can no longer be used for any transaction.

Warning: Cancelling a card is permanent and can't be undone. You'll need to request a new card afterward.

To request a replacement card after cancellation, contact your Admin or Account Owner, as only they can order a new card.

Can I lend or transfer my card to a colleague?

No, you cannot transfer your card to a colleague. Each physical card is tied to a specific cardholder and is non-transferable.

Cards should never be lent or shared. Virtual and physical cards are linked to individual user accounts, so all transactions appear under the cardholder's name. This makes it easier for Admins and your accountant to track and manage company spending.

If your colleague doesn't have a physical card yet, they can request one. Their Admin or Account Owner can order a card on their behalf, free of charge.

Troubleshooting

Symptom: The Unblock button isn't available, or clicking it doesn't work.
​Cause: An Admin, Account Owner, or an automated security check (for example, three failed PIN attempts) blocked the card instead of you.
​Resolution: Contact your Admin or Account Owner to unblock the card. If the card was blocked after failed PIN attempts, see the related article below.

Symptom: Your card was blocked due to suspicious transactions. Cause: Spendesk flagged the card for security reasons and initiated an investigation. Resolution: Contact Spendesk support with the cardholder's email, transaction date, amount, and supplier name to resolve the issue.

Symptom: A card reported as stolen or lost still shows available funds, or you keep receiving failed transaction notifications after cancelling it.
​Cause: Cancelling a card puts it in a terminal state immediately. The amount shown on the card is a spending limit, not funds physically held on the card, so any transaction attempted afterward will fail and may trigger a notification.
​Resolution: No action is needed. The card can no longer be used. Contact Spendesk support if failed transaction notifications continue.

FAQ

Can I temporarily block my card and unblock it later?
Yes, if you blocked it yourself, you can unblock it at any time. If an Admin or the system blocked it, only an Admin or Account Owner can unblock it.

What should I do if my card is stolen, lost, or damaged?
Follow the steps to permanently cancel it, selecting the matching reason from the dropdown. You'll need to request a new card afterward.

Can my colleague use my card?
No. Cards are tied to individual users, and you shouldn't lend your card to anyone else.

Need assistance?

If you have any questions, contact our support team. Log in to Spendesk and go to Need help > Chat with us. You can also email support@spendesk.com.

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