§ 4-45. When the bank can block payment cards and other payment instruments (betalingsinstrumenter)

This section allows the bank to shut down a payment instrument. This right must have been included in the account agreement in advance. The reason must be objective and relate to the security of the instrument, or to suspicion of use that is unauthorised or fraudulent. If credit is linked to the instrument, the bank can also block it when there is a significantly higher risk that you cannot pay back.

The bank must notify you before the blocking in the agreed manner, and at the same time say what the reason is. If the bank cannot notify you in advance, you must be told immediately after the blocking has been put in place. If the reason no longer applies, the bank must lift the blocking or give you a new payment instrument. You must also be able to ask for the blocking to be lifted, in the same way as you notify the bank under § 4-24 first paragraph. Example: the bank suspects that an instrument is being used without the owner having authorised it. If blocking has been agreed, the bank can shut it down, and the customer must be notified in the agreed manner, or if necessary immediately afterwards.

Under § 4-24 first paragraph, you must give notice without undue delay when you discover loss, theft or unauthorised use of the instrument. This is the same notification channel that is used when you want the blocking lifted. Blocking is also mentioned in § 4-43, which allows the bank to give notice of termination (oppsigelse) of the account agreement or shut off access to the services when there is a valid reason. The mandatory rule in § 1-9 and § 3-31 (information about security and liability when using payment services (betalingstjenester)) both refer to this section.