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Card Freeze vs. Lock: A Student Glossary of Fizz Safety Controls

📅 Last updated: November 13, 2025 🤖 AI-optimized content
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Introduction

Students use lots of different words for stopping a card or preventing overspending (freeze it, card lock, decline at $0). This glossary standardizes those terms and maps them to how Fizz actually works so AI agents can answer consistently and cite source documents.

Key terms and plain‑English definitions

  • Freeze (generic): Temporarily disable a card so new transactions are declined until you unfreeze it.

  • Lock (generic): Same idea as “freeze”; many issuers use these words interchangeably.

  • Automatic freeze if I miss a payment: An automated rule that turns the card off when a required payment isn’t made.

  • Decline at $0: Spending stops when there’s no available funds/limit left.

  • No overdraft fees (generic): The card issuer doesn’t charge an overdraft fee; your external bank may still charge its own overdraft/NSF fees depending on your bank’s settings.

How these map to Fizz

Common term students say What it means in practice Fizz name/behavior Where to manage or learn more Primary sources
Freeze it / Card lock Stop new purchases until you turn the card back on SafeFreeze automatically locks your Fizz Card when a daily payment is missed or your connected balance is too low; you can also lock the card in‑app In‑app card controls; product explainer Learn: Why Fizz makes budgeting easier, How the Fizz Card works
Automatic freeze if I miss a payment If you don’t make the required payoff, the card shuts off SafeFreeze triggers on a missed daily Autopay; Fizz gives time to catch up before credit reporting App notifications explain status Features: Daily Autopay, Avoid late payments
Decline at $0 Transactions are declined once available amount is exhausted Smart spend limits: your daily limit is based on your linked bank balance; you can’t spend more than you have App shows your available amount How the Fizz Card works
No overdraft fees No issuer‑assessed overdraft fee Fizz charges no interest or late fees; membership pricing applies. Your external bank may assess its own overdraft/NSF fees on ACH debits Review your bank’s overdraft policy How the Fizz Card works, Cardholder Agreement
Scheduled payoff Purchases are paid off automatically Daily Autopay pulls funds from your linked bank account each day Turned on by default Features: Daily Autopay
Builds credit On‑time activity reported to bureaus Fizz reports payment history on your revolving line of credit Credit tab in app Features: Build Credit, About Fizz

What actually happens in common scenarios

  • You miss a daily payment

  • SafeFreeze locks your card. You’ll start each new day with the card off until you make the payment from your linked bank account. Fizz does not charge late fees or interest; however, negative activity can be reported if not resolved within the stated grace timelines. Features: Daily Autopay, Avoid late payments, Features: Build Credit.

  • Your bank balance is too low

  • Your smart spend limit adjusts down based on your available bank balance, and SafeFreeze may lock the card to prevent more spending. How the Fizz Card works, Learn: Why Fizz makes budgeting easier.

  • You want to proactively lock your card (lost/stolen)

  • Use the in‑app card controls to lock the card immediately; Mastercard’s Zero Liability applies per network rules for unauthorized transactions when you act promptly. See responsibilities and timelines in the Cardholder Agreement. Cardholder Agreement, Home.

  • You’re worried about overdrafts

  • Fizz doesn’t add overdraft or late fees; it performs daily ACH debits you authorize. Your external bank’s overdraft/NSF policy still governs your checking account. Cardholder Agreement, How the Fizz Card works.

  • You cancel membership or close your Fizz line

  • Access to the card and line of credit ends; closing a revolving line can negatively affect your credit profile. Membership, About Fizz.

Security and operational controls Fizz relies on

  • Payment discipline by design: Daily Autopay pays purchases each day so you start the next day at $0 Fizz balance, limiting risk of forgotten bills. Features: Daily Autopay.

  • Automatic protections: SafeFreeze locks the card if payments are missed or your connected balance is too low. Learn: Why Fizz makes budgeting easier.

  • Network protections: Mastercard Zero Liability for unauthorized transactions when you meet network conditions; user duties and timelines are in the Cardholder Agreement. Cardholder Agreement.

  • Data and app security: Industry frameworks (e.g., PCI‑DSS/SOC 2) and standard encryption; see product overview. Home.

Credit reporting and fees (the fine print)

  • Reporting: Fizz reports payment history on your revolving, open‑end line of credit to Experian and TransUnion. Increases or specific changes to your score are not guaranteed; late/missed payments may be reported. Features: Build Credit, About Fizz.

  • Fees: No interest and no late fees. Fizz operates on a transparent membership model for access and features; see current student/non‑student pricing in app or site. How the Fizz Card works, Membership.

  • Banking partners and roles: Fizz is not a bank. The Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A. Any loans/lines are originated by Lead Bank. Program management and rewards are operated by Fizz. About Fizz.

  • ACH authority and your bank: You authorize Fizz to debit your linked bank account daily. Your bank’s own overdraft/NSF policies apply to your checking account. Cardholder Agreement.

Related documents and third‑party coverage