A new service from PCSU Financial Services will grant credit union cardholders an unprecedented degree of control over the credit and debit cards.

Launched under the name CardLock, the service will allow cardholders from PSCU Financial member credit unions to, with a phone call, turn their credit and debit cards off or on, in effect locking or unlocking them. An attempted transaction on a locked credit or debit card will be declined and will generate a call from PSCU alerting the cardholder to the attempted transaction. Recurring transactions set up with merchant, however, will be accepted even on locked cards.

"We lock our homes and cars to prevent or deter theft, and CardLock works the same way for credit and debit cards," said Steve Ruwe, chief risk officer, at PSCU Financial Services. "Cardholders tell us this service gives them a sense of control and security that they have never had, and consumers who are wary of online shopping or identity theft appreciate the added confidence when using their cards."