Staff at Tesco's cut up my Credit Card

freddysmith

M_Thomson wrote:

I think there is something that the OP isn't telling us here. Whichever processing company that Tesco use must have had a reason for telling them to cut up a card.

I wish I knew what the something was. I know that my CC provider was extremly quick to send out a new card with all the same card details except valid from date was more recent. If there was any misuse, fraud or improper use I wouldn't have been issued with a new card. To me at the time of the event it was like using a sledge hammer to shell a nut. The conclusion is that I have been issued a new card very quickly and I will be able to use it again from tomorrow. This has certainly livend up the end of my year.

OMAR

jeez...people get over it!...uve got ur new card...move on

---lee---

OMAR wrote:

jeez...people get over it!...uve got ur new card...move on

Probably the easiest option. I would want an explanation of exactly what happened though and reassurance that it would not happen again, otherwise I would concerned that it could/would happen again. But that's just me.

Compensation would seem very OTP, especially for 'social embarrassment'. If anyone had asked me to define 'social embarrassment' prior to this post, the first thing that would have spung to mind is soiling oneself in public or similar :eek: - another beer anyone :beer:

Tim_L

If there was nothing wrong with your account you should firstly request a full explanation and a compensatory payment from the card issuer (I always ask for £30).

Then you should contact the store and express polite but incandescent rage at the way this was handled. It isn't their fault that there was a problem and they were asked to destroy a card, but it could and should have been handled better with an explanation given.

Katgoddess

I work in a petrol station, and normally when we are asked to retain customers cards the customer suddenly remembers that the bank has sent them a new card in the post that's sitting at home unopened. Normally a new card with a chip to replace their old chipless card. Or they've reported their card lost, and found it again and think they can still use it. (D'oh)

We use barclays merchant services and they tell us to cut the corner off the card over the strip and send it back to them. I normally make soothing noises like "your card has probably been cloned" or "they might have sent you a new card thats been lost in the post" to appease the customer.

dc

Epiphone wrote:

You're kidding right? Tesco have done what they've been told to do. It would be a different story if the card was stolen. Can you imagine a post along the lines of "Tesco allowed my card to be used for £1000 of shopiing!!!11"

Epiphone, burbs, and M thomson,

I wonder if your replies would be the same if it happened to you, not everybody has your confidence levels. Your trust in "the system" and the store's action is a little worrying, mistakes do occur.
I have mentioned this thread in the stores I use, and ALL I spoke to were horrified by Tesco's action.
The financial inducement seems to have played a part in this arrogant and high handed approach to customer relations. Could be something to do with the Tesco founding fathers.


There has been a cockup for no apparent reason, why should we say ce la vie ?
It should not have happened, why was a third party's word taken as gospel?
Why was the card holder's in store complaints dismissed, effectively branding them as a liar and cheat.

I will think twice before shopping at Tesco in future
When my card has been refused, the refusal is all that happens.

Freddysmith is OWED an explanation by Tesco for their error.

If the third party told them to shoot the cardholder, would they be blameless if they did so? I supose some of you might agree that they were.:rolleyes:

Happy New Year Freddy et al :rudolf:

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

MooseRich

I say be thankful that the card was destroyed. If the call centre request the card be retained, then it should be retained. But if it happens to you, always ask it gets cut up and ask for the cashiers full name.

Why? To stop yourself from getting fraud against yourself. I used to run a petrol station, just a small one. We had 'contact authorisation' on the odd occasion, most went through fine. But I had to go out the back to make the call, I could have said that the card was declined and I'm keeping it. Imagine you had said 'ok fine, I'll contact my bank to get a replacement'. I could've swiped it everywhere and anywhere on the internet. If it gets a request to be kept, ask to see the cut up card so you know it's unlikely to be swiped and asl for the cashiers name (and maybe their manager too) purely to protect yourself.

It's a sad world when you have to suspect everyone for commiting fraud, but the more ways we can help put an end to it the better.

But please please please, if someone says 'I have to keep your card', do not get violent. I've had this before against me, they couldn't believe I was just doing my job and they came round the back of the till and grabbed me and held me against the cabinet. All because of what someone on a phone did. Please just say 'ok, thankyou, can I see you cut it up' get the names and walk out. The people in the shop are only doing what they are asked to do. And for the record, we never saw our £50, the company kept them.

MooseRich

Tim_L wrote:

but it could and should have been handled better with an explanation given.

Most customers who's cards get a 'retain' on them are awkward and it's hard to be sympathetic to someone who you predict will have a go at you. Also, the call centre don't have to give a reason, they can say that the card is to be retained and no reason for it.

hobo28

From what I've read, it looks like a simple mistake was made. As little britain would say "Computer says No".

Yes it was embarrassing for the OP but it does look like Tesco's and whoever their agents are all acted in good faith.

You paid using another card there and then. Apart from a little embarrassment, I cannot see any harm done. It's not like you slipped and broke you leg!

Millions of CC transactions go through every month. Its inevitable that occasionally a mistake will be made.

I would just turn the other cheek and move on. Asking all and sundry for an apology and compensation just makes you look like a money grabber when the people involved were just trying to prevent fraud.

shopbot

freddysmith wrote:

Went to pay for an item at Tesco, there was a problem putting the transaction through the till using my Credit Card, staff phoned their credit card checking agency and then was told to cut up my card in front of me. Which they proceded to do.

Does anyone know the checking agency Tesco uses, as I had lost total control of my card and wasn't given any chance to talk to the agency on the phone to ask questions.

I phoned my own Credit Card company and this was the first time they had heard of this type of going's on.

Has anyone here experienced simular happenings

Regards freddy

Hope this sheds some light on it:
There is no credit card checking agancy as such. Tescos would have phoned Visa/Mastercard/Switch direct. The card operators provide a telephone number for retailers to use for authorisations.

When this number is phoned the card operator will do one of three things: authorise the transaction, decline the transaction or decline and ask the retailer to retain the card.

Whilst it is embarrassing having your card cut up in front of you Tescos would have done this to prevent themselves from allegations of negligence from either yourself or Visa etc. This is to show to you that whilst the card is out of your possession it cannot be used again. They will also have to send it back to your bank so this in turn prevents postal theft.

I am not seeking to defend Tesco here however it does not sound unusual as a retailer. The big difference that Tesco could make in this scenario is how sensitively they deal with you. It is not a nice experience when you don't understand what is going on and why it is happening. It's all down to how well trained the staff and how discreet they are.