Problem with LloydsTSB and a payment I tried to make

Ricciardetto

Hi all

This is my first post and I hope I put it in the right section, if I haven't I'm very sorry.

I was wondering if someone can help me out or give me some advise?

The story goes like this.

December 26th

I wanted to buy a mobile phone on ebay. I found the one I wanted (£195.00), checked the sellers details and all was fine. I clicked on the "Buy It Now" button and the auction stated I had to pay straight away, which I didn't have a problem with.

I went through the process of doing so only the be told at the end that the transaction had been declined as there was a problem with my card.

So I tried again and got the same message.

December 27th

I tried to buy the phone again, only to have the same message shown about there being a problem and to use a differnet card. I went to bed (as I work nights) and got up about 5pm.

In the end the phone was bought by someone else. So I just moved on and tried to find another phone.

I then checked my bank account online to see if I had been paid earliy (sometimes my company pays on a Wednesday night) and I notice my accout was nearly £400.00 less than what was in there. I couldn't see who or what the money was take out.

I rang paypal who said that all my transaction for the item I was trying to buy had been declined and they gave me a 4 digit "Rejection Code" to give to my bank.

I then rang LloydsTSB Platinum Members Services and gave them the code. they said that they could see a number of declined transactions but 2 payment of £195.00 made on the 26th Dec had been marked and approved to come out of my account to pay for something through Paypal, but they have no idea to who and where. I asked if the payment could be stopped as all the transactions had bee declined and was told that it couldn't. The person then said I maybe lucky and it may decline it on 2 or 3 days.

I recalled paypal and they confirmed that all transaction between the 26th and 27th December had not been authorised and the person I tried to pay had not received anything and that no new purchases had gone through on my account.

End of story.

I would like to know:

How can I get the money back ASAP?
How did the bank authorise a payment which they had not approved?
Coz if this I have gone overdrawn, as when I saw transaction cancelled I though it was that, cancelled, can I charge the bank and get my fee back?

Thanks agian
Ric

John_3:16

I asume the feed back rating for this phone seller is Ok?

Looks like LLoyds have messed up a bit. If at all possible go into your local branch and talk to someone face to face. Talking over the phone is not the same.

These things usely work themseves out in a few days. Last time we had a problem with Lloyds everthing got sorted, and my wife got a bunch of flowers sent .

If Lloyds are at fault they will pay any charges.

I am not sure howmany times you tried to buy this phone but it sounds like Lloyds can see more than 2 transaction attempts.

I also assume you have had no email from Paypal regarding any payment?

sgx.saint

Rightyo ....

From what you have posted, no money has left your account as of yet. Your account is probably showing an "Available Balance" of £400 less than it should be. This because you have "outstanding authorisations" waiting to clear. An authorisation is exactly that, its a transaction waiting to be authorised, so the payment will either clear or decline.

So your bank hasn't actually authorised any of your transactions yet. Therefore you need to wait till the outstanding authorisations either clear or decline on your account before looking at taking any further action.

Chances are they will just decline within a few days and your available balance will return to normal.

mrmajika

These funds will be 'earmarked' by paypal. The earmark will most probably disappear within a few days.

It's debatable who is at fault, ie Lloyds TSB or PayPal. You won't be able to dispute the transaction until it is showing on your statement. But then, the transaction probably won't show on your statement and will dissapear.

You will not be able to 'use' the earmarked funds and it will affect your available balance. It's unfair, but it's quite common!

jonesMUFCforever

Just wondering if the original card you registered with Paypal is now out of date and has been replaced?
This might be the reason the payments were declined in the first place.

Ricciardetto

@ ejones999 - The card on file with ebay expires in 2008 and the card number is correct.

@John 3:16 - I haven't any emails from eBay or Paypal regarding the purchase of the phone. Only 2 transactions seem like they could/will be earmarked to come off, yet paypal say nothing has been bought with my card though their system since the 11th December.

@everybody else - I rang LloydsTSB again just to get confirmation about the 'earmarked' funds and they said that they may or may not clear, but if they do then they will see if they can get the funds back but the guys said it isn't a guarantee I will get them back.

Looks like I will have to sit this out and see what happends, which will be a bit longer than normal coz of the New Year.

Thanks to everyone who helped, your all STARS!!!!!!