BLOCKED from your BPI Express Account? Here is the solution

This happened when I was in Puerto Princesa (not that you need to know about that but it is important that you know where I was at that time). We were on a vacation with 4 of my college friends.

While chilling in our room I logged in on my BPI Express Online account to check if a particular transaction happened (note that this was payday so you get the idea right?).

I logged in using my old Sony Ericsson phone which was a hand-me-down from my sister. Yeah, it’s old.

I filled in my username and password (which was incorrect).

The page loaded my request. But because of – I don’t know – my phone or the internet connection I decided to click the login button more than once just to make sure I did what I was supposed to do.

Unfortunately, the BPI online app received the transaction but my phone (or the internet) was so slow to even notify me with my failed login attempt.

I remember clicking the login button one-to-many times out of annoyance. I need to check my account ASAP! It was a matter of pasalubongs or no pasalubongs for my friends.

Since my phone (or the internet) was slow the dialog box confirming that my access to my account was disabled due to several failed attempts popped up after a while.

Not the actual popup when your access has been disabled. This is the prompt for invalid user id and password. I don't think I need to go through the whole process just so I can show the screenshot of the actual popup.

I panicked (of course).

This was new to me.  I did not forget my password. I was just so impatient that I led myself to this mishap.

I tried to compose myself as thoughts of me going to the bank and talking to actual people freaked me out. After a while I had my thoughts tamed and myself sane.

I searched “How to enable disabled online BPI account without going to a bank and talking to people because I have social anxieties.” The first result pointed me to BPI. This was helpful. Now I was one step closer to unblocking myself from my own account.

But let me repeat it: I did not forget my password. 

What will I do to retrieve my access without telling BPI that I accidentally clicked the login multiple times? Can they make the attempts count to 5 instead of 3? I'm not perfect.

What did I do? I convinced myself that I forgot my password and moved on. It was the easiest route.

So I decided to tell myself "Hey homie, you forgot your password and you need to nominate a new one. Sucks to be you now but you gots to do that."

After convincing myself – I clicked on the “Forgot your username and password?” link on the BPI Home Page. (https://www.bpiexpressonline.com)

So – once I clicked on the link I was sent to this form:

I filled in all the fields and hoped they were all correct and that I won’t make a fool of myself anymore. Once was enough (Okay, I did it again because I got my first attempt wrong).

I chose a new password and retyped it because passwords - as it seem - need to be inputted more than once.

See the reminders on how to create your password below:

You need to enter your mobile number for you to be notified if the transaction was successful.

If you ever receive an SMS telling you that the recipient's using his/her new roaming number and you need to send him/her something - disregard that. BPI has nothing to do with those scams.

Once you’re confident of all your inputs you can now click the Submit button (I feel so accomplished).

After a while you will receive an email like the one below:

This means that the transaction was a success and you can now access your online account!

But wait – there are a few more things you need to do.

1. Go to any BPI Express Teller ATM within 20 banking days

           2. Insert your ATM card

           3. Select: Other Services > Activate Enrollments > Express Online 

Your nominated password will be activated five (5) minutes after ATM activation.

By the way I did this twice because on my first attempt I activated my enrollment using my EMV Debit Card. I used my old BPI card (the one in blue) and I was able to log in on my BPI online account! Success! 

Things I learned from this experience:

• Patience really is a virtue.
• It will also save you time on fixing things you, yourself have messed up.
• I need to be more patient in so many areas in my life.
• Yeah, may sweldo na ako!!!