Barclaycard blocked when PAYG topped up

Shackeng

EVERY time I try to top up my PAYG mobile phone using my Barclaycard, usually once or twice a year, they block my card. Recently this happened in an emergency when our landline was down. Every time I complain, they claim it is a 'random' check for "unusual" activity. No matter that I tell them to check how many times I have tried to do it, they are unable to change their system. Fortunately I have a debit card which I am then forced to use in these circumstances.:mad:
Can anyone recommend any other credit card that does not block cards every time with such activity?

reclusive46

Shackeng wrote: »

EVERY time I try to top up my PAYG mobile phone using my Barclaycard, usually once or twice a year, they block my card. Recently this happened in an emergency when our landline was down. Every time I complain, they claim it is a 'random' check for "unusual" activity. No matter that I tell them to check how many times I have tried to do it, they are unable to change their system. Fortunately I have a debit card which I am then forced to use in these circumstances.:mad:
Can anyone recommend any other credit card that does not block cards every time with such activity?

Unfortunately fraudsters love to test credit cards work by using phone top up websites. A lot of issuers are just as trigger happy when it comes to phone companies.

dotdash79

what about using your debit card to top up?

iAMaLONDONER

Shackeng wrote: »

EVERY time I try to top up my PAYG mobile phone using my Barclaycard, usually once or twice a year, they block my card. Recently this happened in an emergency when our landline was down. Every time I complain, they claim it is a 'random' check for "unusual" activity. No matter that I tell them to check how many times I have tried to do it, they are unable to change their system. Fortunately I have a debit card which I am then forced to use in these circumstances.:mad:
Can anyone recommend any other credit card that does not block cards every time with such activity?

Maybe consider changing networks or topping up in a shop (i.e Sainsbury's?)

grumbler

Shackeng wrote: »

Recently this happened in an emergency when our landline was down....

Give them your mobile number instead?
Usually it's just a computer-generated call to confirm the transaction(s).

knightstyle

I have the same problem with my Santander debit card. Every time I top up my Orange PAYG sim the account is frozen!
So I now use my Nationwide debit card and it goes through fine.
Didn't have the problem when topping up my Vodaphone PAYG.

meer53

Just call them to confirm it's a genuine transaction then they'll unblock the card ?

zerog

meer53 wrote: »

Just call them to confirm it's a genuine transaction then they'll unblock the card ?

He does not want to do this every time it happens.

meer53

zerog wrote: »

He does not want to do this every time it happens.

"Once or twice a year" ??? :eek:

littlemissbossy

Be glad of the checks, someone has just spent £800 on my credit card, it got picked up very quickly due to fraud checks.

Shackeng

Thanks for the suggestions, I do use my debit card instead (see OP), I just cannot get them to recognise that this is 'normal' activity for me, notwithstanding I have been using a Vodafone PAYG for about 10 years, and they refuse to annotate my account to this effect. I do appreciate that they try to prevent fraud, but on that basis why allow any transaction? I have to register several personal details to top up the PAYG account, (though I accept not my pin), I just find it extremely tedious. Incidentally, even if I try to top up every two months with say £20, they still stop it. :mad::mad::mad: