why have they only just taken payment?

Flat_Eric

This isnt a credit card question but a debit card question so Im not sure if this is the right board.

I spent £30 at the Lords MCC shop on or around the end of June. I have text message banking and got a text this morning to see that they have just taken the £30 I spent on my debit card? Why has it taken over a month for the payment to leave my account?

I have checked and they have only taken the money once - I just dont understand why it has taken so long :-(

lisyloo

Computer glitch?

You should not assume that you are off the hook just because something has taken a bit longer.
Occassionally it happens.
So don't assume you're the beneficiary of a mistake.
Officially you would have to wait 6 years before you can keep the money.

blob-blob-blob

I've had something like that happen to me. Parking paid by credit card at the begining of June, only just put through. It is very annoying - but I just decided that I needed to be better at keeping track of what I've been spending on!

Edit: I just thought - I quite often do small trips to the supermarket a couple of days a week, and the deductions always seem to be grouped together, rather than taken on the day I've actually shopped on. I guess some retailers just wait until they have a certain amount of transactions before popping them all through!

Timmne

I did this - spent the money in Nov 07 and it went out in April this year - phoned First Direct and they said that merchants have 6 months from the point you enter your PIN to claim the money, so it was legit sadly!

King_Of_Fools

Timmne wrote: »

phoned First Direct and they said that merchants have 6 months from the point you enter your PIN to claim the money, so it was legit sadly!

6 years, actually!

It is 6 months for a cheque.

Timmne

Are you sure it isn't the other way around? It's well known that cheques can clear aaaaages after 6 months - it was on the TV a while back.

(I think)

lisyloo

To get money back from a debt a creditor can chase you for six years.
I'm not sure on the limits for different payment methods, but for money owed then that's the legal limit.

If it's land or property then the time limit is 12 years.

There may be much smaller limits on different payment methods, but even if your payment is rejected you still OWE the money.

Banks do not tend to take much notice of dates on cheques these days which is why post-dated cheques don't work very well.

Flat_Eric

thank you for all your replies. I dont mind that they have taken the money - just thought it had gone out at the time. Its a bit like when you send a cheque and it isnt cashed for months, it can catch you out.

To add to the mix though, what happens if the debit card I used to pay for the item say gets cancelled or expires after I have made the purchase but before they have taken the money?

King_Of_Fools

Flat_Eric wrote: »

To add to the mix though, what happens if the debit card I used to pay for the item say gets cancelled or expires after I have made the purchase but before they have taken the money?

This will not make a difference as the amount was authorised when the transaction took place when the card was valid. If the card was subsequently cancelled or has expired then the amount will just appear on you account as normal. If the bank account was cancelled too then the bank would just send you a bill for the outstanding amount.