Bank sent a fraud check text to my mobile

book12

Today I have purchased an item online, and the transaction was declined despite entering the correct card information, and the correct Mastercard SecureCode password. When it was declined the first time, I tried two more times. In total, that means three times.

Then I had three text messages from my bank:

• Then I got a text from a bank that they are doing a fraud check on my credit card, and the transaction was declined.
• A few seconds later I got a text saying for me to confirm if the declined transaction was performed by me. I replied to confirm the transaction as was mine.
• After replying to that, I got another text saying thank you for confirming, and I can use my card again in a few minutes time, and told me contact the retailer to reprocess the payment.

I googled the text and phone number, and they were genuine.

After that few minutes, I tried again, and the payment went through. Not sure if it was a blip on the systems.

The experience mentioned above is a first.

A few questions:

• Would this affect the relationship with the bank?
• Would this be recorded on my profile with the bank?
• Would a CIFAS marker be on my credit record?
• Would my credit score be affected?
• I have an automatic credit limit increase next week, as per letter sent to me last month by post. Would this be declined?

MrSilk

What was the value of the item? Anything larger than a £250 purchase would trigger this, especially if you are not known to make such large purchases online.

I very doubt a CIFAS marker would be applied, it's standard procedure; nothing to worry about.

agrinnall

We'll all be guessing, and mine is that the answer to all five questions is No.

g6jns_2

book12 wrote: »

Today I have purchased an item online, and the transaction was declined despite entering the correct card information, and the correct Mastercard SecureCode password. When it was declined the first time, I tried two more times. In total, that means three times.

Then I had three text messages from my bank:

• Then I got a text from a bank that they are doing a fraud check on my credit card, and the transaction was declined.
• A few seconds later I got a text saying for me to confirm if the declined transaction was performed by me. I replied to confirm the transaction as was mine.
• After replying to that, I got another text saying thank you for confirming, and I can use my card again in a few minutes time, and told me contact the retailer to reprocess the payment.

I googled the text and phone number, and they were genuine.

After that few minutes, I tried again, and the payment went through. Not sure if it was a blip on the systems.

The experience mentioned above is a first.

A few questions:

• Would this affect the relationship with the bank?
• Would this be recorded on my profile with the bank?
• Would a CIFAS marker be on my credit record?
• Would my credit score be affected?
• I have an automatic credit limit increase next week, as per letter sent to me last month by post. Would this be declined?

You are reading far too much into the events. Checks like this are for your benefit although they can be very annoying. There should be no detrimental effect from them.

[Deleted User]

Agree, so that's a total of 10 no's.

InsideInsurance

book12 wrote: »

• Would this affect the relationship with the bank?
• Would this be recorded on my profile with the bank?
• Would a CIFAS marker be on my credit record?
• Would my credit score be affected?
• I have an automatic credit limit increase next week, as per letter sent to me last month by post. Would this be declined?

No
Probably
No
No such thing
No

Banks systems are there to protect you and them from fraud. Inevitably we all suffer fat finger syndrom occasionally, as do call centre operators typing in our details and banks similarly sometimes are overly cautious.

Having something flagged as possible fraud but that fraud marker then lifted is going to have no long term impact on you at all. The bank may keep a record of it for MI reporting, for their monitoring of the merchant and various other reasons but its not something negative against you

GingerBob_3

These checks are there primarily to protect THEM - the banks. Your example sounds like a random block. I had one once with MBNA, for the grand total of about £4 spent online with the Book Depository. It caused a significant problem - card blocked, had to phone them and go through their over-the-top security etc.

I told them if it ever happened again (block for no good reason) I'd close the account immediately - and it hasn't.

Having the luxury of numerous credit cards I can afford to impose a "two strikes and you're out" policy on the card providers. MBNA and Post office are currently on one strike.

lulu_92

You'll be fine. What would you be in trouble for, not committing fraud on your own account?

I used to get phone calls from HSBC (when I was with him) asking if I'd made certain transactions - normally it was after student loan day!

Have nothing but nice things to say about the fraud teams, they're there for your benefit.

GingerBob_3

lulu_92 wrote: »

You'll be fine. What would you be in trouble for, not committing fraud on your own account?

I used to get phone calls from HSBC (when I was with him) asking if I'd made certain transactions - normally it was after student loan day!

Have nothing but nice things to say about the fraud teams, they're there for your benefit.

Almost 100% only for their own benefit. You are covered against fraud anyway, except if you're reckless.

meer53

GingerBob wrote: »

These checks are there primarily to protect THEM - the banks. Your example sounds like a random block. I had one once with MBNA, for the grand total of about £4 spent online with the Book Depository. It caused a significant problem - card blocked, had to phone them and go through their over-the-top security etc.

I told them if it ever happened again (block for no good reason) I'd close the account immediately - and it hasn't.

Having the luxury of numerous credit cards I can afford to impose a "two strikes and you're out" policy on the card providers. MBNA and Post office are currently on one strike.

I hope you don't think this is the reason why it's not happened again !

dawyldthing

I'd rather they contact me rather than just assume I've paid for something when I haven't. A friend of mine has had a contract phone set up on her credit card with Barclaycard I believe. The problems still not solved 2 months on despite contacting ee and Barclaycard, yet if they had contacted her it could have been blocked