Text message from Halifax Card Services - Genuine or not?

fierydormouse

What do we think of this?

I have just done an online payment using a Halifax Mastercard while on hols in Morocco. Completely 100% kosher, definitely me, definitely not fraudulent (only £14, btw).

I have just received a text message from Halifax (or claiming to be) quoting the last 4 digits of my card number and the amount, and asking me to reply YES or NO if the payment was genuinely me. I'm not sure what to do. I can't see any risk in replying as I can't see what a fraudster would get out of this if it's not really from Halifax. But it costs me 50p to send a text from Morocco and I don't fancy that if I don't have to do it! I try very hard not to use my mobile phone when abroad at all - indeed, it was unusual that it was even switched on at the time.

Anyone else with a Halifax credit card had one of these texts following use abroad? What did you do?

Thanks in advance! x

[Deleted User]

It'll be genuine, as they are quoting your card digits.

If you don't reply, you run the risk of your card being blocked. I would reply.

nidO

Better yet, call their customer service reverse charge and tell them the transaction's genuine, so you aren't having to fork out for the cost of the call/text.

CKhalvashi

nidO wrote: »

Better yet, call their customer service reverse charge and tell them the transaction's genuine, so you aren't having to fork out for the cost of the call/text.

00441132422229 is the number you need from abroad. As with any phone number on an Internet forum, check this on the back of your card.

CK

GingerBob_3

These card companies are bloody annoying at times. I don't give them my mobile number. MBNA once blocked my card on the strength of a £4 online transaction being "possibly" fraudulent (it wasn't and was with a company I'd used previously on numerous occasions). When I called them I said that a further frivolous block of this nature would put them in breach of my T&Cs of use (did they want a copy of them by the way) and would result in immediate closure of the account. No problems since - but I'm not holding my breath.

Mr_K

GingerBob wrote: »

These card companies are bloody annoying at times. I don't give them my mobile number.

I'd usually agree with you on not giving info out, but credit/debit card companies are one I do as long as its used for security purposes only.

I had a similar message to the OP earlier this month for what was a £400 fraudulent transaction at Play.com (a site to avoid imho). I replied 'no' to it being a genuine transaction, I was rung within seconds and the transaction stopped in its tracks (and hopefully the perpertrator was found and given a good beating by the police ) My card was stopped and a new one issued within a day. Before mobiles I would have found out a month later on my statement, doubtless have to pay it in the short term and face months before I got the money back.

JKSandy

Yes, this is a valid text.

(I think you can set it to call you)