Bank of America lets you lock a savings account through their mobile app or online banking, which freezes all withdrawals and transfers until you unlock it again

A locked savings account at Bank of America stops anyone—including you—from moving money out. The lock does not close the account or affect deposits coming in. It is a temporary hold you control, useful when you want to prevent accidental spending, protect against fraud, or keep funds set aside for a specific goal.

The process takes seconds and requires no phone call to customer service. You can unlock the account just as quickly if you need the money back.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America's account lock feature is available through the mobile app or online banking at bankofamerica.com, not through a branch visit or phone call.
  • Locking your account stops all withdrawals and transfers out, but deposits and interest still post normally.
  • You can lock and unlock your account as many times as you want with no fees or waiting period.
  • A locked account does not affect your debit card, but transactions will be declined if you try to use it.

Locking your account through the Bank of America mobile app

Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in. Tap the account you want to lock—in this case, your savings account. Look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) or a settings gear icon at the top or bottom of the screen, depending on your phone type.

Select "Lock Account" or "Account Lock" from the menu. The app will ask you to confirm. Once you tap confirm, the lock is active when ready. You will see a lock icon next to your account name, and any attempt to withdraw or transfer money will be declined with a message saying the account is locked.

Locking your account through online banking

Go to bankofamerica.com and sign in with your username and password. Click on the savings account you want to lock. Look for a "Settings" or "Account Services" option, usually found in a menu on the right side or under your account name.

Select "Lock Account" from the available options. Bank of America will ask you to confirm the action. Click confirm, and the lock takes effect right away. You can return to the same menu at any time to see whether your account is locked or to unlock it.

What happens when your savings account is locked

Withdrawals and transfers out are blocked. If you try to use your debit card, the transaction will be declined. If someone tries to transfer money from your account online or through an automated system, that request will fail. Incoming deposits, direct deposits, and interest payments will still post normally to your account.

The lock does not affect your account balance, your account number, or any scheduled payments you set up before locking. It only stops outgoing money movement. If you have automatic bill payments set to pull from this savings account, those will be declined while the account is locked.

Unlocking your account when you need access again

Return to the same menu where you locked the account—either the mobile app or online banking. Select "Unlock Account" and confirm. The unlock is when ready. You can then withdraw, transfer, or spend from the account normally.

There is no waiting period, no fee, and no limit to how many times you can lock and unlock. Some people lock their savings account during the week and unlock it on payday, or lock it after making a transfer to prevent impulse withdrawals.

When account lock does not work as a security measure

If someone has access to your Bank of America username and password, they can unlock your account themselves. Account lock is a convenience tool, not a security barrier against someone who already has your login credentials. If you suspect fraud or unauthorized access, do not rely on locking alone—contact Bank of America's fraud department when ready at the number on the back of your card or through the app.

Account lock also does not stop a bank from freezing your account due to a court order, tax levy, or other legal action. Those freezes come from outside Bank of America and require legal action to remove, not just a button in your app.

Alternatives if you want stronger protection

If you want to prevent yourself from accessing the money but also prevent anyone with your password from unlocking it, consider moving the funds to a separate account at a different bank or to a certificate of deposit (CD), which has a maturity date you cannot change. Some people also set up a savings account with a different bank and transfer money there specifically to keep it out of reach.

If your concern is fraud or theft, adding a second person to the account (a trusted family member or advisor) who must approve large transfers adds a layer of protection that account lock alone does not provide. Bank of America calls this a "co-owner" arrangement and requires both people to sign paperwork at a branch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lock just my savings account if I have multiple accounts?

Yes. You lock accounts individually through the app or online banking. Locking one savings account does not affect your checking account, other savings accounts, or credit cards. Each account has its own lock setting.

Will my debit card stop working if I lock my savings account?

If your debit card is linked to the savings account you lock, transactions will be declined. If your debit card is linked to a checking account, it will work normally. You can check which account your card draws from in your Bank of America settings.

What if I forget I locked my account and try to make a withdrawal?

The transaction will be declined, and you will see a message in the app or at the ATM saying the account is locked. You can unlock it when ready through the app or online banking and retry the transaction.

Does Bank of America charge a fee to lock or unlock my account?

No. Locking and unlocking are free features available to all Bank of America customers with savings accounts. There are no monthly fees or per-transaction charges for using account lock.

Can I lock my account if I have a pending transfer or payment?

You can lock the account, but any pending transfers or payments set to pull from that account will be declined once the lock is active. Cancel or reschedule those transactions before locking if you want them to go through.