Tesco Mastercard - Are You Often Blocked?

bfgun

For the umpteenth time my Tesco Mastercard has been blocked for what I presume is some form of security check, I won't know until I phone them.

However, it's embarrassing and inconvenient and this is happening far too often.

It happens a lot when buying on-line and especially with US stores. You'd think that Tesco would have sufficient software to learn my spending habits but they continually block from buying and then phone me although in this case they haven't phoned.

I get the impression they don't want my custom any more. I can spend several thousand pounds on my card each month and always pay it off - is it this they don't like? That I'm not paying them interest although I'm earning them money in other ways.

It's beyond a joke.

Anyone else experience the same with Tesco Mastercard?

jellie

Mine's never been blocked. I do use it on line, but not with US stores.

I always pay it off in full, so that isn't your issue.

chanz4

cant say it has ever been blocked

[Deleted User]

bfgun wrote: »

I get the impression they don't want my custom any more.

That would be the wrong impression. It would be easier for them just to close your account rather than try to micro manage you out.

lynz68

I have only had my card blocked once when I was in New York, was not happy as they do tell you don't need to tell them when you go abroad. Has never happened anywhere else though.

SuzieSue

I have had mine blocked probably half a dozen times over the last 8 years, usually when I am buying something for work from the US.

The last time it was blocked was because it had been fraudulently used in the UK, so I was impressed that they stopped the transaction.

I pay my card off each month so I don't think it is because they don't want your business.

marty2be2000

Read the article below.

Tesco have cancelled all credit cards which had been used at an unnamed online retailer after the retailers systems were compromised.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/cards/2016/02/credit-cards-cancelled-after-mystery-online-shopping-data-breach

bfgun

Following my original post I spoke with Tesco and, as per previous calls, ran through the most recent purchases I had made to check their validity.

I read the article (thanks for the link marty2be2000) and on reflection I wonder if this relates to the Sony Network / Playstation as I had bought 2 camera apps of relatively low value the evening before my card was blocked.

Given the issues that Sony have had in the past with security breaches it wouldn't surprise if this is what triggered the block although Tesco would not confirm either way.

Many thanks for your replies.

SuzieSue

bfgun wrote: »

I read the article (thanks for the link marty2be2000) and on reflection I wonder if this relates to the Sony Network / Playstation as I had bought 2 camera apps of relatively low value the evening before my card was blocked.


Many thanks for your replies.

My card was replaced too because of the on-line retailer security breach, but I have never bought anything from a Sony site.

bfgun

SuzieSue wrote: »

My card was replaced too because of the on-line retailer security breach, but I have never bought anything from a Sony site.

I omitted to add in my last post that my card was not replaced.

They just blocked it, confirmed recent transactions and then released the block.

I'm not sure why others, including yours, have been replaced unless they have evidence to suggest that the affected cards have been cloned.

Did you receive a new credit card number? When cards expire they are often replaced with the same account number but a new expiry date.

SuzieSue

bfgun wrote: »

I omitted to add in my last post that my card was not replaced.

They just blocked it, confirmed recent transactions and then released the block.

I'm not sure why others, including yours, have been replaced unless they have evidence to suggest that the affected cards have been cloned.

Did you receive a new credit card number? When cards expire they are often replaced with the same account number but a new expiry date.

It looks like yours was blocked for another reason - not because of the security breach at the on-line retailer.

I received a text last week saying that there had been a security breach at an on-line retailer and that my card might have been affected so they were blocking my card and sending me a new one with a new number.