Asda checkout problems

ben999

I went to Asda today to get a few items. The bill came to £15.32. I tried to pay with my bank top-up card (not contact-less) but an error message came up before I could input my pin number. So I withdrew the card and paid with cash instead.

When I got home I thought I had better check my bank account. Sure enough there was a call on my card for £15.32 No description, of course, to say it was Asda but naturally I am thinking that they have taken the money from my card.

I will have to wait until the item shows up on my account as a definite Asda payment before I can go in and sort it out.

What I cannot figure is how the money was taken from my card if I did not put in the pin number; as I have said the card is not contactless. I have used the same card at this Asda before without any problems. There were ample funds in the top-up card and nothing is flagged up on-line to indicate there is a problem with the card.

[Deleted User]

If you didn't enter your PIN, the money will not be debited.

ben999

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

If you didn't enter your PIN, the money will not be debited.

Do you mean Asda will cancel the transaction?

Norscbu

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

If you didn't enter your PIN, the money will not be debited.

How can you be sure of that? there are some places you can use your card (not contactless) without using a PIN, i.e. some car parks. The transactions are small, the car park pays an increased handling fee.

elljay

Similar happened to me. Ring your bank straight away - mine were able to see that the payment hadn't actually gone through and credited it back. Didn't have to wait for the system to sort it.

ben999

Norscbu wrote: »

How can you be sure of that? there are some places you can use your card (not contactless) without using a PIN, i.e. some car parks. The transactions are small, the car park pays an increased handling fee.

Well that sort of answers half of my question. I was under the illusion that if you did not enter your pin they could not get access to your account details. You learn something new every day.

This is why I have started using a top-up card with just a limited amount of money in ( couple of hundred at most). If any one tries to leech money out there is a limit to what they can get.

System

Sounds like a glitch in their checkout system - that's what you get for shopping at Walmart. The funds have been earmarked but are unlikely to actually debit the prepaid debit card.

Norscbu

ben999 wrote: »

This is why I have started using a top-up card with just a limited amount of money in ( couple of hundred at most). If any one tries to leech money out there is a limit to what they can get.

If you want protection, I think a credit card would be more suitable.

ben999

Heng_Leng wrote: »

Sounds like a glitch in their checkout system - that's what you get for shopping at Walmart. The funds have been earmarked but are unlikely to actually debit the prepaid debit card.

That is what I thought, a glitch. I seem to recall that Asda had a big problem with their check-out readers a couple of months ago when they did not adjust their systems to daylight saving time.

Funny thing is; last time I went to Asda I used the self service checkout and when I got home I found I had been charged twice for one item of Ice Cream (£1.50) I did not bother going back to re-claim it because it was Xmas eve and the place was pandemonium. Strictly speaking, I guess I over-charged myself. It is easily done.:)

ben999

Norscbu wrote: »

If you want protection, I think a credit card would be more suitable.

The problem with credit cards (for me) is that I make a purchase and it is not taken from my bank account for several weeks. For instance, I paid for some train tickets well in advance for over £80 and it was not taken from me for about six weeks. I don't like large amounts "pending". I take your point though and I know it is foolish to purchase any expensive item unless with a credit card.

[Deleted User]

Norscbu wrote: »

How can you be sure of that? there are some places you can use your card (not contactless) without using a PIN, i.e. some car parks. The transactions are small, the car park pays an increased handling fee.

That's not the case at Asda checkouts.

No PIN entry and there will be no debit taken. The tills are online to the Banks and Asda seek authorisation of payment from both the cardholder (PIN) and the Bank.

ben999 wrote: »

Do you mean Asda will cancel the transaction?

Yes. It will have been voided.

Do continue checking to make absolutely certain, however.