MSE News: Avoid the blocked card holiday nightmare

Bob_the_Saver

Welshwoofs wrote: »

It's not just travelling abroad that's the issue. I've had my Santander debit card blocked on numerous occasions for suspected fraud....even when purchasing groceries in a shop in my own town that I've used hundreds of times!

The last time this happened I had to leave a bag of shopping and go home, wait 15 minutes in a queue for an operative in their Indian call centre who asked me lots of irrelevant questions before transferring me to a department in Spain who said they'd turn the block off. Back to the shop 30 minutes later to retrieve and pay for my shopping....my card was blocked again. Back home, another wait on the phone, another load of questions in India before being transferred to Spain. Was told the block hadn't been removed..but was now assured it was. Back to the shop - was third time lucky? Was it hell.....stopped again and AGAIN the block had not been removed.

I've also had it blocked at a petrol station where the attendant threatened to phone the police unless I paid (I only had my debit card on me and a few quid in change) before leaving.

I tell you when I didn't get it blocked though....when someone cloned the number and bought £500 of iTunes vouchers.

I had one card blocked in Bangalore, phoned the bank and was put through to ........... Bangalore. Offered to meet him with my passport and card but not allowed it seems. I think they just do it for a laugh. With Metro Bank now so no problems.

lollipopsarah

My hubby always tells his credit card company when we are going abroad/dates.what region and what he is like to buy.
xx

reclusive46

Although American Express don't do anything, I've never ever had my card blocked abroad or even referred, with other card companies (Even one where it makes a difference calling) I always have it blocked.

chattychappy

I've long sinced stopped calling CCs before travelling. Makes no difference in my experience. Also, they have never called me except via automated machinery.

Expect them to fail, be surprised if they don't. Take backups and a cheap means of calling the CC to get cards unblocked.

richardw

It happens even when you tell them. Happened to me in Buenos Aires, I just used the back up card that I had, so just have a back up.

beadgirl87

I phoned lloyds to tell them I was going on holiday to Italy, and my CC was the backup one in case anything went wrong with my parents cards. My card got blocked when I tried to use it. Was a bit embarrasing when we had just eaten a meal, had 2 cards declined and had to find cash to pay!

callum9999

NFH wrote: »

No, not at all. My friends would have my local mobile number abroad or would message me via other means.

Oh the irony of your anti-hidden-fees crusade against low-fare airlines!

Kite2010

When I was with Alliance & Leicester, when I called up to say I was going abroad for a week, the operator used the phone-call as a chance to try and sell some (probably over-priced) travel insurance.

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I've got a Post Office card, is it worth phoning them before I go abroad (as I will probably use it)?

callum9999

Kite2010 wrote: »

When I was with Alliance & Leicester, when I called up to say I was going abroad for a week, the operator used the phone-call as a chance to try and sell some (probably over-priced) travel insurance.

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I've got a Post Office card, is it worth phoning them before I go abroad (as I will probably use it)?

Worst case scenario it has no effect and you've wasted 5/10 minutes of your time (no idea how good Post Office are with queues on the phone etc), so it may be worth a go if you want to.

Though I personally stopped telling my card issuers years ago and have never had them blocked - even when I've used my card in 3 different (EU) countries over 2 days, and during a year in Australia.

Gloomendoom

Kite2010 wrote: »

When I was with Alliance & Leicester, when I called up to say I was going abroad for a week, the operator used the phone-call as a chance to try and sell some (probably over-priced) travel insurance.

Halifax have just done the same thing to Mrs G, as well as an upgraded bank account and other nonsense.