RBI has asked all banks and other card-issuing companies to disable online payment services of all debit and credit cards that have never been used for online or contactless transactions both in India and internationally.

According to the new guidelines, card users will now be able to register preferences (opt-in or opt-out of services, spend limits, etc.) for international transactions, online transactions as well as contactless card transactions. Hence, debit and credit cards issued by banks will only be enabled for domestic transactions at ATMs and point of sale (PoS) terminals. Banks can deactivate current cards and reissue them based on risk perception. Note that, the RBI’s mandate does not include prepaid cards and gift cards. That means, those who are facing this issue should get one prepaid cards or virtual card (that can be easily generated from your bank using net banking.)

RBI has mandated banks to incorporate risk-mitigation features in customers’ debit cards and credit cards from 1st October. With this new feature, consumers can set up a limit on their credit cards and debit cards. Cardholders will have the option to switch on and off their debit and credit cards for any facility – ATM, NFC, POS, or eCommerce (card-not-present) transaction

For those, who can’t find any option, can switch to Apple Card which is secure, more user friendly and most importantly can solve your problem.