Visa Debit 'V' Visa Credit Card Question

Tra77

Hi,

I have a Visa Debit for my current account (from Alliance & Leicester).

I used this to make an online purchase back in September from a company of whom (a) I haven't received my order (b) don't bother to answer any of my emails (c) don't answer the phone or return my voicemail messages.

I'm just wondering if the visa debit works the same as a visa credit card, i.e. am I covered/eligable to claim this money back via the bank?

Thomas_Crown

Unfortunately purchases made using a debit card do not have the same customer protection as those made by credit card. When purchases over £100 are made by credit card the card issuer is jointly liable with the retailer if the goods are defective ie. 'not fit for the purpose intended' or not delivered etc.

student100

It can't hurt to try and get it back from the bank. IIRC there is something that although not legally obliged to, Visa require banks to offer equivalent protection with their debit cards as they would be legally required to provide with credit cards.

taless

Visa Debit does offer the facility to do chargeback - you can go to the bank and ask them about it (apparently many bank staff won't know about this, so if the first person says he/she can't, ask for someone higher up) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/4260806.stm)

I think you have to bring some proof of your correspondence with the seller to the bank, to show them what you have done that makes it necessary for them to perform the chargeback.

Hope this helps!

Tra77

Thomas_Crown wrote: »

Unfortunately purchases made using a debit card do not have the same customer protection as those made by credit card. When purchases over £100 are made by credit card the card issuer is jointly liable with the retailer if the goods are defective ie. 'not fit for the purpose intended' or not delivered etc.

Thomas Crown is the protection on a credit card only valid on purchases over £100 then?

Mary_Hartnell

If you are the victim of plastic card fraud, you can never "prove" it was not your fault, particularly if you are the victim of ID fraud.

Since being a victim last year, I can have problems using the web, obviously there must be something on my accounts that tags me as "dodgy". However I have found that up to now, if my CC is rejected I can immediately use my debit card and that will be accepted :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:.

However, a couple of weeks ago I ordered a 5.50 E-ticket for the next day, from "Megabus" to get home. When the CC bounced I was not surprised.

However when I got home, there was a message on my land line from A & L, even on my debit card, the transaction had flagged up as potential fraud.
Should I be impressed or worried?
Methinks the staff have started being trained in the risk that VISA charge back poses to the bank.

PBA

Thomas Crown is right that the same protection doesn't apply to Visa Debit, but this is irrelevant in this case. If the company haven't sent you the goods, and aren't forthcoming with a refund, you can get your bank to claim the money back through Visa. It should take around a week for them to give your money back once you've reported it.

Tra77

Many many thanks to all who helped on this one.

After waiting a while longer (to see if the company came up with the goods) I contacted my bank who (just like the report on the link) said 'no, we don't do chargeback it only applies to visa credit cards' after insisting (3 times!) that he checked this out with or put me through to a supervisor, he eventually did and the bank are now in the process of sorting this for me and advised the money will be back in my account within a couple of days.:T

I really do hope more people will become aware of this (I've recently read many reviews with regards to the same problem/website in question). . .I really thought I had lost my money for ever, so thanks again xXx