Debit card 'deposit' when paying for fuel at the pump

Keith_Raisin_Morben

My wife was worried recently by something which is apparently 'common practice'. She had bought some fuel using her Santander debit card at a local Asda. When checking her account online, the transaction was recorded, but there was also an unaccountable £1 transaction. When she contacted the Santander call centre to alert them to possible fraudulent activity they said that it would probably be the petrol pump checking that the card was valid prior to releasing fuel. The £1 has now been refunded, so it seems that this is the likely explanation.
I checked on the internet and can find no reference to this hapening in the UK. What I did stumble upon is that in France, if using a card, the pump automatically debits the maximum amount that it is allowed to dispense, around €99. It is known as Ring Fenced Authorisation. It is only when the garage submits the actual price of fuel drawn (and that can be several days later) that the balance is adjusted. This means that if you are close to the limit on your card the transaction may be declined or you pay overdraft fees.

Toe-Jam

This happens all the time, its not just petrol pumps, it can be any amount, not just £1. It is to check the card is valid and is returned straight away by the merchant, but sometimes takes a few days to credit back to your account.

mikey72

I've been to petrol stations in Holland where you pay first, and the pump dispenses the amount of fuel you have paid for.

worried_jim

mikey72 wrote: »

I've been to petrol stations in Holland where you pay first, and the pump dispenses the amount of fuel you have paid for.

Same in the States- most gas stations are pre pay. "$20 regular on pump 3 please"

Flyboy152

Toe-Jam wrote: »

This happens all the time, its not just petrol pumps, it can be any amount, not just £1. It is to check the card is valid and is returned straight away by the merchant, but sometimes takes a few days to credit back to your account.

It's never hapened to me.

DCFC79

mikey72 wrote: »

I've been to petrol stations in Holland where you pay first, and the pump dispenses the amount of fuel you have paid for.

isnt that simlar to how the self service petrol pumps at tesco work

DCFC79

Flyboy152 wrote: »

It's never hapened to me.

its happened to me but i dont think its happened when buying petrol but buying stuff from a website the card is authorised by a £1 debit is made.

st999

It's never hapened to me

It probably has you've just never noticed it.

I only noticed it because I have started to check my credit card online after every use of my card. However it only appears under pending transactions and as others have said it vanishes after a few days.

It never appears on my paper statement.

blacksta

it even happens at hotels when you check in - they swipe your account for little amount like 0.01p and balance up when you check out.

meer53

Standard practice at pay at the pump stations or anywhere where the retailer needs pre authorisation, you never see the £1 debit, it's just a system check to make sure the card is valid. It's happened here for years.

hcb42

At hotels they should swipe for the accommodation costs plus a little for incidentals.

swiping for a penny is pointless if you are there for a week and running up a bill nearer a grand!

If they swipe you for one night, for say £150, but your bill is only £100 then if you pay on the same card on departure, the preauth should be released. although debit cards can take a few days