NATIONWIDE card declined.

NEDOWN

Good morning all. Can I ask if anyone else has had their Nationwide debit card declined at a LINK ATM this morning? Account balance is £1K+ so not lack of funds. I've checked online and maintenance affecting ATMs is not due until Sunday. It's the first time I've had a card declined and I can't understand why it's happened. Nationwide is a secondary account, funded monthly from main account (HSBC). I'm hoping someone can save me the hassle of contacting the card issuer.

Keep_pedalling

You need to contact them, I suspect they have picked up on potencial fraudulent activity and put a stop on the card.

I have had this a few times over the years, and although annoying it's better than have money removed illegally from your account. The first time it happened to me was after a 3am low value transaction on the U.S. ITunes site, and I had to have a new card issued. If it has been triggered by something you tried to do they will simply remove the hold once you have confirmed it was a genuine transaction.

NEDOWN

Much obliged to you KP, you've confirmed what I suspected might be the case. In fact the sole reason for opening this secondary account was damage limitation in the event of fraud. I'll contact Nationwide now and let you know the outcome. Again, much obliged., I just wish I didn't have this phobia about phones, life would be so much easier.

NEDOWN

PS.You're certainly right about one thing, having two accounts with separate banks means something like this happening is annoying, if I'd only had one account it would have been a crisis.

NEDOWN

Just rang Nationwide and I'm gob-smacked. Apparently my debit card is damaged. I'm looking at it now and it's perfect. Not a mark or scratch on it, I always look after my cards, I know how important they are. They're sending me a new card, and I can still use my current card, though it may or may not work, so I don't think I'll risk it. I have to add, if all call operators were as friendly and helpful as the lass I've just spoken to I'd soon get over my phone phobia.

agrinnall

Sounds like it's damage to the chip which you can't see, but which may prevent it being read in an ATM or C&P device. I'd use another card until you get the replacement if you can. And like you I've generally found the Nationwide call centre staff to be among the most helpful.

dr_adidas01

NEDOWN wrote: »

Just rang Nationwide and I'm gob-smacked. Apparently my debit card is damaged. I'm looking at it now and it's perfect. Not a mark or scratch on it, I always look after my cards, I know how important they are. They're sending me a new card, and I can still use my current card, though it may or may not work, so I don't think I'll risk it. I have to add, if all call operators were as friendly and helpful as the lass I've just spoken to I'd soon get over my phone phobia.

It could be the chip that's damaged hence why you can't see it I've had this happen once before. You might try rubbing your fingers over the chip to remove any dust or dirt stuck in the chips grooves, this usually fixes the problem.

Biggles

Did you try it again, or in a different machine?

I had a card 'declined' in an ATM last week. Tried again immediately and it was 'accepted'. That's far from the first time, with various cards; no rhyme or reason sometimes.

NEDOWN

At the time the person in front of me had used the m/c to withdraw cash so I assumed it was working. Having my other bank card I used that instead, so it wasn't a real problem. When I got home I tried the card in the card reader to log on, and it worked fine, so as you say no rhyme nor reason.

I wouldn't like to be at the front of a long queue with no other means to pay if it's declined again, so I'll change it for the new card which is on it's way.

Much obliged.

Edited to add: 12th May. New card turned up this morning, and unlike the old one, this one is contactless. I'd been thinking of asking them for a contactless card, so turned out well.

Biggles

NEDOWN wrote: »

At the time the person in front of me had used the m/c to withdraw cash so I assumed it was working.

I'm sure it was, that wasn't what I meant. Mine was working - either the ATM, the card or the link had a temporary glitch, that's all. I tried again straightaway in the same machine and it was fine.

pmduk

that could just have been a minor piece of dust