Debit Card Service Charge

hardpowered

Hello,

It seems that sometimes when I use my Halifax Electron Debit Visa Card online, I get a £1.50 'Debit Card Service Charge' - I have no idea why, despite searching the Internet and this forum. I have two questions to ask:

- What is this charge, why am I charged it and is there any way to avoid it?

- I'm an 18 year old on Job Seeker's Allowance (looking for a job in IT). Is there any bank account you can recommend me? Preferably without extra charges.

Many thanks to all,

Toe-Jam

Its a foreign transaction fee. Its added when the purchase is not processed in the UK. Even if its £'s

hardpowered

Hmm, thanks Joe-Jam.

Is this the same for ALL banks?

McKneff

Are you taking money out of ATM machines that charge, £1.50 seems to be about what these companies charge.

Normal buying with a card doenst attract charges. At least Ive never heard of any

hardpowered

McKneff wrote: »

Are you taking money out of ATM machines that charge, £1.50 seems to be about what these companies charge.

Normal buying with a card doenst attract charges. At least Ive never heard of any

Nah, this is only when I purchase online.

pmduk

Which sites are you using? or is it via something like Google Checkout?

jambosans

Sounds like a service charge for an international payment (link). If you buy something online, for example, and the transaction is processed on foreign soil or currency, Halifax charge 2.75% (if converted to Sterling) + £1.50. The 2.75% is loaded into the amount debited, whereas the £1.50 shows separately.

Some other posters more about it, and should be along to help soon.

Edit: seems everyone posted within 5 minutes, so I'm now someway down the page.

dzug1

Another possibility is it's a gambling site you are using for a 'purchase' - these are treated as cash advances

hardpowered

pmduk wrote: »

Which sites are you using? or is it via something like Google Checkout?

Well, a couple of examples are using PayPal and ordering my Microsoft certificates from America (I'm in the UK).

DCFC79

hardpowered wrote: »

Nah, this is only when I purchase online.

i have rbs and natwest accounts and dont get charged but examples above ^^ might explain why your getting charged the £1.50

hardpowered

jambosans wrote: »

Sounds like a service charge for an international payment (link). If you buy something online, for example, and the transaction is processed on foreign soil or currency, Halifax charge 2.75% (if converted to Sterling) + £1.50. The 2.75% is loading into the amount debit, whereas the £1.50 shows separately.

Some other posters more about it, and should be along to help soon.

Edit: seems everyone posted within 5 minutes, so I'm now someway down the page.

dzug1 wrote: »

Another possibility is it's a gambling site you are using for a 'purchase' - these are treated as cash advances

Yeah, this does seem right. Bit unfair though really.

And dzug1 - I don't use any gambling sites.

I don't know how to use the multi-quote feature so I'm making a lot of posts. :P Sorry!