feel like I am being told off for spending my own money

Rafter

What we need is a system of charges from customers to banks when their over zealous fraud systems block us from accessing our own funds.

£39 per time sounds fair, and might even consider refunding them if they are a bank in hardship - but only after saying no a few times and being referred to the ombudsman

R.

98sidney

Whilst I dont object to them blocking my card, I did object to them taking my card at the cash point, and then having to wait for a new one.

This is what I am having to do, and it really couldnt have come at a worse time, on sun me and my family have all come down with food poisioning, thanks to a nice lady making a dodgy egg custurd slice at our local church.

I Have had to make do with the food I have in my cupboard, I have a pre payment gas and electric meter which luckily I have enough on to last me til I feel able to get to my nearest branch to take out my own money over at the counter, I dont drive so will either have to walk or get a bus which is £1.80 each way..

I have seen 2 items on another deal site that I would of liked to have bought for xmas presents but was unable too..

I will be putting in a official complaint about the actions they took this time, and also suggesting to them when they block your card you recieve either a text megs or a phone call to tell you, as usually you dont find out they have till you are trying to buy something..

AbbeyDhabi

As soon as read the title, I though that this poor sod banks with Abbey.

The problem with Abbey (or one of the problems - there are many) is that they are so reliant on the card for transacting on the account. This leads to higher than normal security and means that if if there are any problems, like the one you have encountered, the customer is stuffed.

If I were you, I would put your complaint in writing, then give serious consideration to moving to a real bank.

maman

McKneff wrote: »

I find the best way, if youre going to make an unusual transaction then ring them up before hand.

OH does this but when I've called to say I'll be away they just sound bemused and say 'have a good holiday' (that's GM Mastercard).

These days I just use my Nationwide debit and Post Office credit cards that I only use when I'm abroad with no problems.

98sidney

I really dont consider putting a £100 onto my 02 prepaid card a Unusual transaction, I had to pay £25 for school photos.£20 panto tickets for my daughters brownies, as we can go too.
And pay a £25 deposit for my sons scout trip.. And £30 was left for me to buy a toy from tescos as tesco do not accept electron..

And surely my spending habbits will differ this time of year, doesnt most people..

What I object to is once I have gone through all the security checks on the phone and they are happy it is me who is spending it, should I really still have to answer any more questions about where the money was going and to whom..

Dave101t

i spent 19.99 online and they stopped my card.
i spend money in dubai and china within a 1 day period and they didnt batter an eyelid!

richardginger

All the banks anti fraud measures are completely random and getting increasingly frustrating. It does however seem that customers with Visa Electron cards get the most problems. Unfortunately you just have to bear with it, after all they are trying to protect yuour interests.

opinions4u

richardginger wrote: »

All the banks anti fraud measures are completely random

If they followed a predictable pattern then the fraudsters would commit more fraud.

It does however seem that customers with Visa Electron cards get the most problems.

Higher risk customer base.

Unfortunately you just have to bear with it, after all they are trying to protect yuour interests.

Precisely.

98sidney

I am all for security measures, and yes in away its nice they are keeping an eye on it for me..
But wouldnt it be a good idea for the banks to start informing the
person involved either by phone or text megs, so they are aware and can quickly make a call and have the card unblocked..

Mrs_Ryan

NatWest used to be like this with my Solo card - if used it more than 3 times in a row it used to trigger the anti-fraud thing which did drive me nuts however I stopped complaining after they picked up when my card was cloned and moved swiftly to stop the transaction. A&L took another day to even question the transaction but thank god I had worked out where it was likely to have happened and stopped my A&L card as well...