Bank blocking payments on card

[Marmite17]

Unable to pay water bill today and later had a phone call from bank to call them back on newer smartphone . No text or voice mail. Didn't have a pen and could not memorise number from fraud prevention team.
Spent several hours on phone, without really getting anywhere.
Adjusted contact details via online banking, text went to old but still active non smart phone, which I rarely use, in spite of details for new smart phone being there. Unable to input landline number at all, came up with not recognised. Block removed but then put through to a different department to check contact details as concerned this may happen again. Form is being sent through post. Couldn't hear well/understand and person on other end of phone, and he didn't seem to understand/respond to what I was saying either. No idea what to expect through post. Hoping account isn't frozen.
Fortunately there is a local branch, Halifax, but its closed until Monday.
I have one debit card with this one bank. So no other access to money in spite of current account being very healthy.
Concerned that I may get late charges for bills if this keeps happening. Considering opening a second current account with a different bank/ swapping completely.
Not sure what to do.

Be very cautious, this sounds to me like a scam set-up. Find number for your bank online do not use any other numbers provided by the caller.

Seems account isn't frozen? As just bought something online.

Guessing and hoping I wouldn't be able to if it was

Sounds like a fraud block on your card, it's usually done by a computer as a safety precaution (think of it as better this than losing all your money to a fraudster!). If the block has been removed then that's good, your card will work. They will prob be sending you a letter with a security code so you can call up and update your phone number - from what you've said, it's sounds like they couldn't do this for you on the phone. If you have a local branch, you can update your phone number in branch. Just take ID & bank card with pin. In terms of opening another account, you can do. This check could happen with any account at any time but at least if you have another account you could transfer money online & have access to it until you get your card unblocked. That being said, fraud blocks don't happen all too often, unless you're buying from dodgy websites etc.

Just seen you updated details online, takes 24 hours to update sometimes so that should resolve your issue if a block happens again

I’d agree with fraud block possibly the amount or type of payment. I have had this a few times with my bank. They don’t like automated payments done over the phone but prefer the internet based ones as they can put you through verification.

Finally your account shouldn't be blocked. A card block and account lock are two different things, sounds like it was just a card block

Thanks for the replies. It was definitely the bank calling, used their fraud prevention number from card and they knew nature of blocked transaction, second utility bill being paid over automated phone line.
Calmed down now but will go to local branch on Monday.