Problems using Natwest card today - unauthorised

All_eBayed_Out

Tried to use my natwest card in a department store today and payment was unauthorised, then tried my husbands which is linked to the same account and this also was unauthorised. Went to the bank to tell them and they said no issues etc.

Morrisons was also unauthorised today on the 1st go and then authorised on the 2nd go.

Is anyone else having problems?

If this happens at my local petrol station then their signs state that the police will be called :mad:

Archi_Bald

Sorry can't comment on the actual problems you experienced today since I haven't used a Natwest debit card today but you should really have an alternative means of paying, such as a non-Natwest/RBS credit card, or a debit card from a different bank etc.

There could be all sorts of reasons why a particular debit card doesn't work even though you have sufficient funds. With Natwest / RBS specifically, the risks of this happening seems to be higher than with other banks.

NowRetired

If this happens at my local petrol station then their signs state that the police will be called

Are the police going to authorise the card?

All_eBayed_Out

If i speak nicely to them then maybe.

eskbanker

Possibly related: there were certainly some problems with one of the card processing networks (that sit between merchant and card company) at around lunchtime today, which caused a lot of transactions to be declined through no fault of the bank, the merchant or the customer.

reclusive46

eskbanker wrote: »

Possibly related: there were certainly some problems with one of the card processing networks (that sit between merchant and card company) at around lunchtime today, which caused a lot of transactions to be declined through no fault of the bank, the merchant or the customer.

RBS Streamline had some problems today. My local Tesco metro could only take Amex cards for a short time (Amex transactions go direct to Amex so wouldn't be affected by merchant bank problems) and then later in the afternoon could also take credit cards and most debit cards (I imagine it would have been only cards that can work offline).

Emsa77

I've just tried to take cash out of my natwest account and the request was declined even though there's plenty of money in it. Luckily had another card to try.

Sinhanada

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Sorry can't comment on the actual problems you experienced today since I haven't used a Natwest debit card today but you should really have an alternative means of paying, such as a non-Natwest/RBS credit card, or a debit card from a different bank etc.

There could be all sorts of reasons why a particular debit card doesn't work even though you have sufficient funds. With Natwest / RBS specifically, the risks of this happening seems to be higher than with other banks.

Not everyone has the luxury or having two accounts. I unfortunately only have the one which is Natwest - not for much longer though

innovate

Sinhanada wrote: »

Not everyone has the luxury or having two accounts. I unfortunately only have the one which is Natwest - not for much longer though

Two current accounts aren't a luxury. They are more of a necessity these days. Any bank can have outageges. The risk isn't limited to the RBS group.

Another alternative is a credit card, which of course should be paid off in full each month.