Nat West debit card cancelled overseas

wydffa

don't rely on 1 card, at least not Nat West. My daughter is a student so only 1 card. She tried to log her travel plans in advance but Nat West do not allow this. 1st time she used it on a 2 month trip the card was cancelled irreversibly. She has a smart phone so fortunately was able to transfer money to a companion's account and to a prepaid cash card. I think this is a good enough reason not to use Nat West. HSBC allows travel plans to be logged in advance

agrinnall

I would imagine there is more to it than this, but it might only get sorted out once your daughter returns to the UK. I can't see why NatWest would have completely cancelled the card simply because she was using it, they might have denied a specific transaction, but to cancel the card they must have had a reasonable suspicion that it was being used in a way that was against the T&Cs. Had she registered her mobile number against the account so that they could contact her if there was an issue?

But your underlying point, not to rely on a single card, is worth repeating - and I'd go further and say take cards that use at least two of the authorisation systems (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.).

stclair

Even if you noticed the bank you was travelling aboard it would not prevent the card from being blocked. I logged my travel plans lloyds the other week went aboard my card still got blocked.

Your daughter could have called From outside the United Kingdom, telephone (0044) 125 230 8047. You can reverse the charges on calls from abroad through the international operator when calling from a landline.

So they could have got the card unblocked.

*disclaimer I'm assuming the card was blocked rather than actually cancelled*

wydffa

she received an automated phone message saying card was cancelled, she immediately called the UK number and was told it could not be activated and a new card was already on its way to her student flat in the UK. (she moved out the day before she went on her trip). As a student she was rejected for a credit card and we could not get her added to her mother's credit card in the 5 weeks we had to sort it out -it turned out to be a more complex application process than we were led to believe.
As a sensible father I had told her of the need for at least 1 mastercard and 1 visa card 6 months before the trip to Peru but was accused of catastrophising by the females of my family and was forbidden from imparting further pearls of wisdom.

System

Many people don't rely on a single card when travelling on a 7 day holiday. When travelling over an extended period it is just silly.

I guess as student she was incapable of opening a current account or even savings account with card that would have allowed access to money at ATMs should the NatWest one have issues?

innovate

wydffa wrote: »

As a sensible father I had told her of the need for at least 1 mastercard and 1 visa card 6 months before the trip to Peru but was accused of catastrophising by the females of my family and was forbidden from imparting further pearls of wisdom.

Very good, if somewhat painful, lesson to your daughter.