Charged for using my Debit Card...

steve700

On Sunday I ordered £800 of Euros from M&S over the Internet using my Debit Card, because M&s don't charge commission or delivery on orders over £500.

Today I find that my bank has charged me £12.04 (1.5%) as this is considered a Cash Advance.

Surely that's illegal - I thought that using a DC was the same as cash..........

I have asked them to refund it - They say that it tells me about this charge on my statement but as I pointed out, I use Internet Banking to keep a check on things (hence seeing this £12 charge) so do not look at my paper statements very often........

immoral_angeluk

As far as I was aware you're right.... a DC was the same as cash.... check the terms and conditions of your card...

Storm

I worked in a bureau de change for the summer a few years back, and there weren't charges for a debit card purchase of currency, only on a credit card.

This seems very odd to me - which bank are you with?

steve700

I'm with A&L - It's definitely immoral, if not illegal

abergirl

I recently bought euros from the Post Office using my debit card. I was told there that my bank may charge me as it is withdrawing foreign currency (even if it is withdrawn in the UK).

Tootie_Fruity

steve700 wrote: »

On Sunday I ordered £800 of Euros from M&S over the Internet using my Debit Card, because M&s don't charge commission or delivery on orders over £500.

Today I find that my bank has charged me £12.04 (1.5%) as this is considered a Cash Advance.

Surely that's illegal - I thought that using a DC was the same as cash..........

I have asked them to refund it - They say that it tells me about this charge on my statement but as I pointed out, I use Internet Banking to keep a check on things (hence seeing this £12 charge) so do not look at my paper statements very often........

I used a NW Maestro card last year at M&S to purchase currency. There was definately no charge by M&S or NW for doing so. Why should you be charged for making a cash purchase on a debit card. Makes no sense.

steve700

http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/currentaccounts/index.asp?page=all-rates&RateTable=premier-direct&ct=curraccrates

Have a look at the bottom of 'Miscellaneous Fees'................

Storm

I can't see anything on their website - the terms & conditions talk about a tariff of charges http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/currentaccounts/ec03964.pdf and without knowing which type of a/c you have it's difficult to check for you, but the link is here: http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/currentaccounts/index.asp?page=interest-charges&ct=curraccmenu

dzug

If you look at the Travel Trips and Holidays board you'll find a very similar question has been posted there about Travelex.

The answer is yes it's legal because technically it is a cash advance through Visa. Some banks do not levy the charge - most do.

You might complain to M&S that they didn't warn you of the possibility that your bank would charge you - or maybe they did and you didn't see it?

Tootie_Fruity

steve700 wrote: »

http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/currentaccounts/index.asp?page=all-rates&RateTable=premier-direct&ct=curraccrates

Have a look at the bottom of 'Miscellaneous Fees'................

Subject to a 1.5% charge (minimum charge £1.50). The charge may also apply to the purchase of foreign currency or travellers cheques at any outlet that provides foreign currency.

This is probably why they've charged you then. B*stards. Change banks.

immoral_angeluk

steve700 wrote: »

I'm with A&L - It's definitely immoral, if not illegal

You called? :rotfl: