Santander - Trying to debit card and refused

Mancunian

i didnt mind Santander until I had a couple of charges appearing on my account.

I tried to use my debit card in a shop and unfortunately I didnt have enough money in my account - I used a different card.

Checking my statement I was shocked to find charges and was told it was due to these attempts.

Is this normal as I have never encountered this with other banks.

I understand charges for failed direct debits and standing orders but simply trying your card in a shop!?

daveyjp

'Charges' is a bit generic. What does the statement say the charge is?

Mancunian

Too deep and technical man

I was charged for my debit card being refused in a shop, due to insufficient funds in my account.

Is this normal practice by most banks and acceptable?

meer53

You aren't charged for declined transactions because they never debit your account. Call the bank and ask them what actually caused the charges.

pmduk

It's neither deep nor technical and indeed central to your complaint. How are the charges described on your statement?

Your own analysis of the charge as being refused for insufficient funds is not a usual cause for charge, therefore the bank will have described it as something else.

It would also help if your could tell us which Santander account gave rise to these charges.

JuicyJesus

Whoever you spoke to on the phone at Santander was a numpty. No bank charges for declined debit card transactions.

innovate

I would love to hear Santander's account of the events, and then decide who the numpty is.

JuicyJesus

innovate wrote: »

I would love to hear Santander's account of the events, and then decide who the numpty is.

It sounds to me like staff grasping at straws for an explanation. Bank staff aren't perfect by any stretch.

Mancunian

Many emails and a complaint raised but to no avail.

So generally, we feel this shouldn't be the case and shouldn't have happened?

JuicyJesus

Mancunian wrote: »

Many emails and a complaint raised but to no avail.

So generally, we feel this shouldn't be the case and shouldn't have happened?

The charges are probably legitimate but the explanation probably isn't. Raise another complaint asking them to point out where in their tariff charges for debit card declines are.

Archi_Bald

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Bank staff aren't perfect by any stretch.

They should be MSE posters, who are all perfect.