Nationwide Debit Card Issue

Kevlar7

Hi there,

Last year I moved from Natwest to a Nationwide Flex Plus account. I've not had any problems with the service but the only issue I am having is that I cannot use my debit card on a train to buy a ticket.

I have no issues using the card any other time and as I regularly commute on the train (and cannot get a ticket from my station as it is unmanned) I am now having to make sure that I have enough cash on me before boarding - where as previously I never had too when I was with Natwest.

I have had a new card dispatched and still the same issue

Ive done a bit of searching on the internet and there are people saying that they're are different types of card that can be issued that limit the use of completing transactions offline.

I have apparently read railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59072 that there is a code on receipts that means that it is a full debit card which allow offline transactions (A0000000031010) which on looking on past receipts my card has.

Does anyone else have this issue, I have spoken to Nationwide and twice they have said that there is no issue. They've asked me to talk to East Midlands trains as to why this isn't working but I think that will just push me from pillar to post and not really get anywhere!

Thanks in Advance

reclusive46

Kevlar7 wrote: »

Hi there,

Last year I moved from Natwest to a Nationwide Flex Plus account. I've not had any problems with the service but the only issue I am having is that I cannot use my debit card on a train to buy a ticket.

I have no issues using the card any other time and as I regularly commute on the train (and cannot get a ticket from my station as it is unmanned) I am now having to make sure that I have enough cash on me before boarding - where as previously I never had too when I was with Natwest.

I have had a new card dispatched and still the same issue

Ive done a bit of searching on the internet and there are people saying that they're are different types of card that can be issued that limit the use of completing transactions offline.

I have apparently read railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59072 that there is a code on receipts that means that it is a full debit card which allow offline transactions (A0000000031010) which on looking on past receipts my card has.

Does anyone else have this issue, I have spoken to Nationwide and twice they have said that there is no issue. They've asked me to talk to East Midlands trains as to why this isn't working but I think that will just push me from pillar to post and not really get anywhere!

Thanks in Advance

The AID has nothing to do with the card working offline or not. It identifies the card type, I.e. All Visa cards have the AID you mentioned above and all American Express cards have an AID that start with A000000025.

The type of card you are issued is based your credit rating with Nationwide but I must admit I thought the Flexplus always came with an offline card.

The only way to tell if a card is offline or not is to buy a magnetic stripe reader and check the service code. If the card is contactless and the card works offline, the transaction should be approved instantly, if it is an online card, it'll say authorising before being approved (sometimes offline cards will authorise via contactless though after several contactless transactions for security to check if the card is lost/stolen).

Kevlar7

Is there anyway to the bank might be able to test this / investigate it. Can't see a card reader for less than £90

reclusive46

Kevlar7 wrote: »

Is there anyway to the bank might be able to test this / investigate it. Can't see a card reader for less than £90

It can be almost impossible for some bank/building societies to tell you if its offline or not, they simply arn't trained in a way to tell.

Something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINI-USB-Portable-Magnetic-Stripe-MSR-3-Track-POS-BANK-Debit-Credit-Card-Reader-/261813617746?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cf54ec452 for £10 would work

Kevlar7

Thanks @reclusive46. So can I just plug this into my pc and hey presto or do I need some additional software.

What's the next step if it is an online card??

Toe-Jam

You could just to mc Donald's and buy a coffee with the contactless . If it doesn't go straight through and instead does an authorisation you have an online card .

My nationwide flex plus card is online and always checks even for every single contactless transaction .

reclusive46

Kevlar7 wrote: »

Thanks @reclusive46. So can I just plug this into my pc and hey presto or do I need some additional software.

What's the next step if it is an online card??

If you plug it in, the computer will just see it as another keyboard. No software is needed. Just open up a word document and swipe the card.

If its an online card, theres not much you can do other than change bank.