Duplicated card transaction, retailer and bank blaming each other

dirtbag1981

Hi all, just after some advice please. I paid a company 5000 for some windows and doors last week,checked my bank and the money had come out. Checked two days later and my account was showing in the black, but available balance put me in the red, so something of a large amount is due to come out (again)I had certainly enough for one transaction,but not two. I spoke to my bank and they said that the first payment cleared, and s second payment of the same amount is pending and to call the company.
I called them and they said they checked with veriphone and it showed only one transaction and one reference number for one amount, and you guessed it they blame my bank. So here I am sitting in the red for the first time ever, and nobody taking responsibility. Is it possible that a merchant can take two payments on one transaction reference?
The company are saying it is definitely not them.
Any advice is apreciated, thanks in advance

adindas

dirtbag1981 wrote: »

Hi all, just after some advice please. I paid a company 5000 for some windows and doors last week,checked my bank and the money had come out. Checked two days later and my account was showing in the black, but available balance put me in the red, so something of a large amount is due to come out (again)I had certainly enough for one transaction,but not two. I spoke to my bank and they said that the first payment cleared, and s second payment of the same amount is pending and to call the company.
I called them and they said they checked with veriphone and it showed only one transaction and one reference number for one amount, and you guessed it they blame my bank. So here I am sitting in the red for the first time ever, and nobody taking responsibility. Is it possible that a merchant can take two payments on one transaction reference?
The company are saying it is definitely not them.
Any advice is apreciated, thanks in advance

Although it is highly unlikely, but it is still possible that a merchant make mistake by taking two payments. If this did hapeen you could eaily reverse it by contacting your bank.

If you have access to online banking. You could see the recent purchase and see whether you have taken your money twice. You could also use phone banking to ask your recent purchase.

Keep in mind your balance is not just £5,000 of purchase you have made but also include the previous balance which have not been cleared.

dirtbag1981

Thanks for reply, I contacted the bank to look up the references and they said the one that hasn't cleared has the same reference number as the one that did,but was requested at a different time. What di you think has happend here?
The company have since sent a fax to the bank (as requested by them) quoting the reference number, but are stating they had only put the transaction through once. I hope the bank can remove this,otherwise it could get messy.

thebritishbloke

adindas wrote: »

If it is the same company the same amount it is highly likely you have been asked to pay the same item twice. As it is apear in the transaction then it is the company who initiate that.

Your bank can not cancel transaction only the company. But your bank could raise a dispute if you said you do not recognise the transaction.

This is not always the case. I had Vanquis double-dip for my statement balance once. That month it happened to be a pretty big balance and bumped me in to the red. HSBC saw that it was clearly the same transaction twice and refunded me.

jonesMUFCforever

It seems to me that two transactions have been earmarked - one has gone through the other pending and will drop off shortly - so your available bank balance will be correct.
If by any chance the second one goes through as well you need to get your bank's card services to charge it back and make sure any bank charges you incur are cancelled.

chattychappy

I'm guessing it will just disappear. Happens to me sometimes with certain transactions, especially cash withdrawals on CCs. Eg for a £100 transaction on a card with £1000 limit:

1) Available balance becomes £900, actual balance £0
2) Transaction goes through: Available balance: £800, actual balance £100
3) A day or so later: Available balance £900, actual balance £100

Often happens where the initially authorised amount differs from the final amount charged. Eg hotel bills or restaurant bills where you add a tip onto bill.

Just wait. If the transaction goes through a second time, then dispute it.