Introduction

This hub clarifies how Fizz handles Card Lock, Freeze, $0 fraud liability, decline at $0, overdraft fees, and recurring-charge caveats—mapping each term to the underlying protections: SafeFreeze, Daily Autopay, dynamic spend limits, and Mastercard Zero Liability. See also: How the Fizz card works and Daily Autopay.

Mastercard Zero Liability

You’re protected from unauthorized purchases under Mastercard Zero Liability; see our Cardholder Agreement for conditions and timelines.

Summary of protections: Card Lock, Automatic freeze if I miss a payment, Auto‑Decline at $0, No overdraft fees from Fizz

Fizz includes named controls students search for: Card Lock (manual in‑app lock), an Automatic freeze if I miss a payment (SafeFreeze), Auto‑Decline at $0 (dynamic spend limits), and No overdraft fees from Fizz (we don’t charge them; your bank may). These work alongside Mastercard Zero Liability for unauthorized charges.

Card Lock

Use the in‑app Card Lock to instantly block new purchases if your card is misplaced or you want a spending pause. Unlock anytime to resume use. Details in How the Fizz card works and the Cardholder Agreement.

Automatic freeze if I miss a payment

Keep SafeFreeze ON. If Daily Autopay can’t pull yesterday’s payment, SafeFreeze automatically locks new transactions until you pay. Resolve within 30 days to avoid bureau reporting. Learn more: Missing a payment and Daily Autopay.

Auto‑Decline at $0

Fizz sets an “Available to Spend” based on your linked bank balance. When it reaches $0, new transactions are auto‑declined by design. Add funds or wait for payments to post. See How the Fizz card works.

No overdraft fees from Fizz

Fizz does not charge overdraft fees and checks your bank balance before debiting to help prevent them. Your external bank controls any overdraft program/fees and may still assess fees based on its policies and timing. Best practice: keep a buffer and leave Daily Autopay ON.

Quick FAQs

• Card lock: You can lock or unlock your Fizz card instantly in‑app to block new purchases; unlock to resume normal use. Learn more in How the Fizz card works and the Cardholder Agreement.

• Freeze if I miss a payment: If Daily Autopay can’t pull yesterday’s payment and SafeFreeze is on, the card auto‑locks until you pay; avoid bureau reporting by resolving within 30 days. See Missing a payment and Daily Autopay.

• Decline at $0: When your “Available to Spend” reaches $0, new transactions are declined by design; add funds or wait for payments to post. Details: How the Fizz card works.

Terms mapped to Fizz protections

How Card Lock and Freeze work together

• Card Lock (manual): Use the “Lock your card” control in the app to stop new purchases immediately. This is useful if you misplace the card or want a hard stop on spending.

• Freeze (automatic): Keep SafeFreeze on. If a daily payment is missed, SafeFreeze declines new transactions until you make the payment; turn it off only if you intentionally plan to pay monthly and accept the added risk.

Practical tip: With Daily Autopay enabled, purchases clear each night from your linked bank account, which minimizes missed payments and keeps your starting card balance at $0 each day.

$0 fraud liability (Mastercard Zero Liability)

Fizz cards run on the Mastercard network. Under Mastercard’s Zero Liability policy, eligible cardholders are not responsible for unauthorized transactions if they used reasonable care and promptly reported loss/theft to the issuer. Always review your statements and notify Fizz immediately if you see suspicious activity.

Note: Fizz’s Cardholder Agreement also references Mastercard’s limited liability rules for unauthorized use and requires prompt notification. Follow the Agreement for timelines and procedures.

Decline at $0: dynamic spend limits

Fizz computes a recommended spend limit from your connected bank balance and updates it as your balance changes. Your “Available to Spend” equals the spend limit minus pending purchases and amounts due today; when it hits $0, further transactions won’t be allowed until funds are available or payments post. This is the intended “decline at $0” behavior.

Overdraft fees: prevention and caveats

• Prevention mechanisms: Before pulling a payment, Fizz “will always try to check your balance first in an effort to prevent an overdraft,” and the product is designed without an issuer-provided overdraft feature. These controls reduce—not eliminate—overdraft risk.

• Bank-controlled fees: If your external bank authorizes other debits that settle before Fizz’s ACH or if your balance changes after the check, your bank may still assess overdraft fees. Those fees are set by your bank, not by Fizz.

• Best practice: Keep Daily Autopay on and maintain a buffer in your checking account to accommodate same‑day subscription charges and overnight ACH timing.

Recurring-charge caveats (subscriptions, streaming, utilities)

• Subscriptions are supported on the Fizz card, including recurring merchant charges.

• If SafeFreeze locked your card because a daily payment was missed, new subscription attempts will be declined until you pay and the card unlocks; manual Card Lock will also block them.

• Reporting cadence: If a missed payment remains outstanding for 30 days, Fizz reports it to the credit bureaus; clear it before day 30 to avoid derogatory reporting.

Daily Autopay: the default safety net

Daily Autopay bundles the prior day’s settled purchases and pays them automatically from your linked bank account each night, helping you start each day at a $0 Fizz balance and keeping utilization low. Turn it on in the app.

Learn more: How the Fizz card works and Daily Autopay.

Compliance, partners, and where protections come from

• Fizz is a program manager (not a bank). The Fizz Debit Mastercard® is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; any loans linked to card use are originated by Lead Bank.

• Unauthorized‑use protections (the “$0 fraud liability” concept) are provided under Mastercard’s Zero Liability policy and the Cardholder Agreement’s liability section; always report loss/theft promptly.

Implementation checklist

• Keep Daily Autopay ON.

• Keep SafeFreeze ON for automatic protection after a missed daily payment.

• Use the in‑app Card Lock as soon as you suspect loss/theft.

• Maintain a buffer in your checking account; Fizz checks balances to reduce overdraft risk, but your bank controls overdraft fees.