Credit Card Blocked? 0.o

Lith

Yea this morning went to check my balance of my credit card (HSBC) enter pin etc and the machine said

'The bank has prohibited the use of this card' then it just gave me the card back?


but online i can see the balance now n transfer it etc so whats the problem? i've only used the card ONCE online (o2) website.

so...??

i've been told HSBC are known to block cards for no reason at all...

redpete

Call 08457 404 404 - number for HSBC credit card enquiries, opened at 08:00. They will know more than anyone reading this forum.

pvt

Lith wrote: »

i've been told HSBC are known to block cards for no reason at all...

Who have you been told that by? Did they offer you any evidence to support it?

If it's true, then that would explain your problem wouldn't it. Someone in that department at HSBC came in the other day and included your account in the ones he was going to randomly block "for no reason at all".

Then again, it's possible that what you've been told is utter rubbish, and your card has perhaps been blocked for a rational reason such as an abnormal usage pattern.

The mystery might well be resolved by your asking HSBC to explain it. Did you think to try that?

interstellaflyer

pvt wrote: »

your card has perhaps been blocked for a rational reason such as an abnormal usage pattern.

Except the OP has only used the card once, so how would they come to that conclusion, though I agree that there probably is a rational reason rather than some-one in the bank blocking card willy nilly just for fun.

dalesrider

Lith wrote: »

Yea this morning went to check my balance of my credit card (HSBC) enter pin etc and the machine said

'The bank has prohibited the use of this card' then it just gave me the card back?


but online i can see the balance now n transfer it etc so whats the problem? i've only used the card ONCE online (o2) website.

so...??

i've been told HSBC are known to block cards for no reason at all...

You are having a security check.
02 are sadly a common target for fraudsters. As is every other mobile company.

EVERY bank blocks card if they believe attempted fraud. And will be able to clear the security check straightaway.
Pretty sure they work 24/7 as well. Due to the nature of worldwide travel these days.

opinions4u

i've been told HSBC are known to block cards for no reason at all...

Yes. This is true.

They do it all the time because they find it's the best way to run a profitable credit card business.

YorkshireBoy

Long shot...maybe they've just prohibited it for cash withdrawals?

But, why would you want to a) check the balance at an ATM when you have online access, and b) why would you need to check the balance at all when you've only made one transaction?

RichL74

Maybe you're up to your limit?

R_P_W

I have an MBNA credit card and on two occassions I have gone to use it and it has been blocked. One of the occassions was buying a new tv from the currys website - I phoned MBNA up and they explained that sites such as Currys are sometimes queried as they are a common target for criminals that may be trying to use someone elses card details.

Whilst it is inconvenient in a way , on the other hand I'm pleased that MBNA apply this extra diligence to help protect my account.

I guess this what could have happened with HSBC?

reclusive46

It's not been blocked. you just can't check your balance on a credit card on an ATM.

jonesMUFCforever

reclusive46 wrote: »

It's not been blocked. you just can't check your balance on a credit card on an ATM.

I beg to differ.
Whilst you can't get a balance the available balance is - this is your limit less what you have already spent.