Co-op Cashminder debit card changes to VISA Debit from June

Madmonk

Someone will have to give Tesco on-line a kick up the bum then because they don't appear to intend changing their system - weird when they accept the card in the shop but not on-line!

Mrs_Ryan

I've got an A&L card thats on the same system - an 'all auth' card and I have used it in 2 places that I know definitely do not take Electron with no problems whatsoever.
You can use the card to pick up pre-booked tickets from the ticket machines at train stations - I think that as long as somewhere has the FACILITY to authorise Electron but are just being petty in not taking it (I know most hotel chains are like this - for example, we stayed in Premier Inn in London recently and I know - ex employee - they dont take Electron, but I used my all-auth Visa Debit to pay for both the room and a meal in the restaurant with no problems.) you can probably use it.

peachyprice

I can see this being a problem until co-op have replaced all the electron cards and 'released' the 4508 from being an electron prefix.

Presumably, and I may be completely wrong here, while there are still electrons out there retailers systems cannot differentiate between the two, until co-op tells them that 4508 is no longer an electron prefix, but a visa debit prefix. This could be going on for quite some time :rolleyes:

jsmith9156

peachyprice wrote: »

I can see this being a problem until co-op have replaced all the electron cards and 'released' the 4508 from being an electron prefix.

Presumably, and I may be completely wrong here, while there are still electrons out there retailers systems cannot differentiate between the two, until co-op tells them that 4508 is no longer an electron prefix, but a visa debit prefix. This could be going on for quite some time :rolleyes:

Hmmmm, You'd think that, seeing as The Co-op are doing away with Electron they would "release" the 4508 prefix now and just let the old cards behave as Visa Debit cards while they go about changing everyones cards.

The other James

zamfir

The Co-op Cashminder Account no longer issue visa electron to new customers and are replacing issued cards with a visa debit card that can only be used at shops that accept electron cards.

This was on electronshops .co .uk - so I don't think it's worth a call to request a new "Visa Debit" card just yet.

book12

It's strange that the new Co-op Cashminder Account debit card still functions like an Electron, despite the card saying 'VISA debit'.

I would avoid them, and try the following banks who offer proper VISA debit cards with their basic bank accounts:

1. LTSB Cash Account
2. Barclays Cash Card Account
3. RBS Key Account/Natwest Step Account (effective from September I believe)

A-Wing

I have a savings account with Co-op already, and was looking to open a basic account with them after hearing about the Electron cards being phased out. I have a Halifax account at the moment with an Electron card, and find it quite infuriating as it's really hard to pay bills etc online.

I phoned Co-op today to ask about the account, and I was told that they had stopped issuing VISA debit cards for now!!

If they're no different to normal Electron cards though, it looks like I'd be better off staying with Halifax for now.

matrix999

I've directed a member of the co-operative bank customer service team to this website so hopefully we will have someone from the bank come on and give people advice on the problems there having with the new Cashminder account Visa Debit Card.

savagej

It would be interesting to know why the new Visa Debit card has exactly the same number as the previous electron card on it, surely a card is either one or the other. As people have previously said they either need to change the card number or make merchants aware 450875 is now a Visa Debit card and to be treated as such, as it says in the leaflet that comes with the card.

From what I know when Barclays, LTSB, and A&L dropped their electron cards in favour of these new "all authorised" Visa Debit cards all their cards began with a new number, the most common being 465 something (which HSBC use when they moved from Maestro to Visa too) or 492 something in LTSB's case.

peachyprice

Stclair has posted these comments over on the Bankruptcy forum so it looks like were getting closer to a resolution

The plot thickens.

My brother spoke to the co op this morning about this visa debit issue.

After explaining the issue with tescos, national rail and other visa election unfriendly companies.

The advisor called "Anthony" spoke to his Manager and his manager advised him that there was an error and it was currently being looked into.

As the card should work as it says on the tin so to speak to watch this space.

He also advised he was going to inform other staff within the call centre so there all singing from the same hyme sheet.

He was advised to call back next week for an update.

Thats the error appartently the cards should be being sent out the BIN 4917 not 4508

According to a co op Manager and its already been highlighed.

He also send they have stopped sending out the cards for the time being