Having your bank account blocked continues to be a situation that catches many Portuguese people by surprise, especially when it is only discovered when paying for a purchase or making a withdrawal. Blocking prevents any account movement, including transfers, direct debits and card payments, and may result from legal, administrative or security reasons.
In most situations, blocking does not occur arbitrarily. It is linked to rules imposed on financial institutions, legal control obligations or automatic fraud prevention mechanisms, which means that it can happen even without any prior warning to the account holder.
According to the Santander bank website, there are several reasons that can lead to a bank account being blocked, from seizure processes to failures to update personal data required by law. In many cases, the customer only finds out when they try to use the money.
According to the same source, banks are obliged to act whenever situations arise that call into question the legality of the account or the security of the financial system, even if this involves temporarily restricting access to funds.
Debts and garnishments explain many cases
One of the most frequent causes is related to tax or contributory debts. According to the same source, amounts in arrears with the Tax Authority or Social Security may lead to the seizure of the bank account, as part of an executive process.
In these cases, writes the bank, the block can be applied without the need for a court decision, an administrative order is sufficient, with the account being limited until the debt is settled or a payment agreement exists.
Lack of updating personal data
Another common situation is the lack of data updating. Anti-money laundering legislation requires banks to keep customer data updated every five years at most.
If the customer does not respond to confirmation or update requests, says the same source, the institution may proceed to block the account as a way of complying with the law, even if there are no associated debts.
Suspicious movements and security locks
Movements considered outside the usual pattern may also justify a temporary blockade. Atypical or high-value transactions may trigger automatic security alerts. In these cases, explains the bank, the block serves to prevent fraud and is normally lifted after contact with the customer and confirmation of the legitimacy of the operations carried out.
The deadline for unblocking an account varies depending on the reason for blocking. According to , situations related to data updating can be resolved within a few days, after submitting the required documentation.
In cases of attachment or legal proceedings, unblocking can take weeks or months, depending on the evolution of the process and the decisions of the entities involved.
To avoid this type of embarrassment, the bank recommends keeping personal data up to date, regularly monitoring account movements and complying with tax and contribution obligations. Small oversights can result in blockages with an immediate impact on your daily financial life.
Also read:
