Debit card you can't use over the phone?

Mothershelper

I am having difficulties in keeping my mother off the shopping channels and running up debts. The bank wont block certain purchases, we can't get the channels blocked. Even freeview has shopping channels. We need a card she can use in shops as due to physical ill health she struggles to get to the bank, but that can't be used to make purchases over the phone.

For various reasons i don't want my name on anything to do with her and money. Is there anything out there that might work?

paragon909

Mothershelper wrote: »

I am having difficulties in keeping my mother off the shopping channels and running up debts. The bank wont block certain purchases, we can't get the channels blocked. Even freeview has shopping channels. We need a card she can use in shops as due to physical ill health she struggles to get to the bank, but that can't be used to make purchases over the phone.

For various reasons i don't want my name on anything to do with her and money. Is there anything out there that might work?

There is no such card available.

agrinnall

I believe the best solution would be to use a cash card to withdraw cash then spend that in the shops - obviously that would only work if there is an ATM in the vicinity of the shops that she uses, preferably a Link one so that she can make free withdrawals but even paying for them is likely to be cheaper than running up debts such as unauthorised overdrafts.

Cash cards are usually issued in association with a basic bank account, such as this one.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/basic-current-account

chuckley

is it money she earns or you drip feed to her?

G_M

The crux of this is her competance.

If she has capacity and is independant she can access her money as she wishes.

If not, you need to take control. That means either using an existing POA if you have it, or applying to the Court of Protection.

Basically if she has a valid card, credit or debit, she can use it over the phone/internet providing she remains in credit or within her credit limit.

I assume she is shopping by phone? Who is the provider? Can outgoing calls be barred or limited?

Does she live alone? Can her husband, carer, yourself keep the card and let her have it when she goes out?

HappyMJ

I got a card with a Tesco Instant Access Savings account that does not have chip and pin and can only be used in Link cash machines. It can't be used in shops, online or over the phone.

grumbler

Mothershelper wrote: »

Debit card you can't use over the phone?

Any unembossed card that you sand some digits and the CVV off. :idea:

If she has a poor eyesight, just paint them over with a permanent maker.

[Deleted User]

grumbler wrote: »

Any unembossed card that you sand some digits and the CVV off. :idea:

I was about to suggest the very same thing!

Failing that, if she's only shopping in one place - a supermarket - could you get one of those gift cards with two cards (I think they're meant for uni students and parents), and regularly top it up for her?

I suppose a side question is this - does she admit that she has a problem?

Another thought - you say she's running up debts on the shopping channels - I assume this is overdraft debt with the bank? If so, had she considered a basic bank account that will decline the transaction if the money isn't there, or a "control" feature on a current account that (even though costing a few pounds a month) would achieve the same result?

Vortigern

grumbler wrote: »

CVV off.

A single hole punch will remove the CVV number without damaging the chip or magstripe.

grumbler

Yes, but some companies don't ask for a CVV, so you'll have to make a colander from the card.

However, the advantage of a hole is that it works on embossed cards as well.

Vortigern

Mothershelper wrote: »

...can't be used to make purchases over the phone.

Is it possible to block access to the telephone numbers used by the shopping channels by using a call barring service/device?