Turned down for a contactless debit card (Barclays)?

Krisko

Hi,

When I opened my account with Barclays in May I did not receive a contactless debit card (apparently you have to ask for it).

It's not a huge deal but it would definitely be convenient so I called Barclays and said "Hi, I would like a contactless debit card".

The first thing I find a bit strange is that I had to book an in-branch appointment, apparently to sign for something. When I arrived to my appointment the agent said I had to do a credit check. This is the second thing I find a bit strange as I already have an account/debit card with Barclays and I'm not asking for credit.

I told the agent to go on with the credit check and then the computer apparently turned me down and the agent weren't able to give me a reason for being turned down. Although he told me to look after my accounts well and it should be fine soon.

Altough I have extremely limited credit history on my 7th month of living in the UK, there's nothing negative on my report. I have my phone plan, Capital One CC, British Gas and my Barclays current account all showing green on my report (and has always been)... As a non-eu citizen I'm not on the electoral roll.

Isn't a contactless debit card exactly the same as a non-contactless debit card?

Thank you

robin58

No it's not the same.

With contactless you are allowed to do so many purchases up to £20 in a day without entering a pin.

The other option is pin every time.

Perhaps the explanation for the decline is the fact you have only been in this country for 9 months.

Most proberly a problem for Barclay credit wise.

Krisko

I can't see why Barclays where perfectly happy with giving me a card the week after I arrived in the UK, but do not wan't to put a contactless stamp on it?

MrSilk

"It's a bit more than just a 'contactless stamp' I'm afraid!. The card you have is an online card which means any purchases you make using chip and pin will be authorised there and then by connecting with the bank and deducting the amount from your balance straight away.

Offline cards which are contactless enabled do not check with your bank each time you make a purchase, thus it allows you to spend more than you may have in the account as the bank are only aware of the transactions when the store ask for the money at the end of the day/week... Or upto 6 months later.

It's that you haven't passed the credit check for an offline card.

I'd wait 3 months then ask them again

Krisko

Thank you! The third thing I find strange is that the bank employee didn't tell me that after the decline...:)

MrSilk

Krisko wrote: »

Thank you! The third thing I find strange is that the bank employee didn't tell me that after the decline...:)

They don't usually know themselves, all they see on the screen is that the request has been declined!

I wouldn't be too bothered if I where you, you could always change banks but to be honest it's not worth it just to get a contactless card

MrSilk

And still even some bank clerks still don't know what contactless cards are... Or how to order them lol

gunsandbanjos

Krisko wrote: »

Thank you! The third thing I find strange is that the bank employee didn't tell me that after the decline...:)

They're not supposed to tell you, they'll just saying something like you've failed their internal credit scoring.

Krisko

Thanks. I don't think I'll bother with changing banks, the new bank will most likely have the same issue, don't you think?

gunsandbanjos

I opened a tsb classic plus and got a contactless card without asking for one.

May I ask why you want one?

CKhalvashi

Krisko wrote: »

Thanks. I don't think I'll bother with changing banks, the new bank will most likely have the same issue, don't you think?

Not necessarily.

HSBC (who I bank with day-to-day) will give me one, whereas Santander (whose account there is generally more money in, but only used for bills and topped up monthly) won't.

I don't understand the internal banking systems, but IMO, that's the idea.