Gambling issues

bullinn1

It’s a standard uk card but transactions are going through sadly.

phillw

rogertb said:

It’s a standard uk card but transactions are going through sadly.

Unfortunately if you gamble on sites outside the UK and you choose to have a credit card that doesn't allow you to block them, then this will continue.

First Direct however offers the facility to block them https://www1.firstdirect.com/help/product-support/credit-card-help/credit-card-gambling-restrictions/ (as long as the gambling sites are honest and set the mcc code on the transactions correctly).

bullinn1

Yes, there’s always a catch it seems, I tested my Halifax cc last evening and managed to make a deposit .... !!!!!! !

ratechaser

ratechaser said:

rogertb said:

Yes born-again ... off shore and I’ve tried speaking to the coop about it but their messaging system is really not good and when I called them the lady I spoke to was really pleasant but had no idea about the subject and new nothing. I will keep digging away at them.

Rather than keep 'digging away at them' for a solution that they won't provide and wouldn't actually solve anything in terms of your underlying compulsive gambling... have you actually contacted GA, or attended a meeting?

If not, please please do so. Today. Nothing else will help you escape this situation! Good luck.

Nudge to the OP, who still appears to be intent on fiddling while Rome burns 

Alex9384

Also read this:  https://monzo.com/blog/how-monzos-gambling-block-and-self-exclusion-helped-me-beat-gambling-addiction-and-pay-off-debt

bullinn1

I’ll certainly look into that Alex, the co-op offer nothing for gamblers and I’ve just seen the fees they’ve charged me for foreign gambling transactions, rubbing salt in the wounds. I know I was stupid to indulge but an on-screen warning along the lines of “your bank might charge you a fee for making this payment” might have been useful, doubt it but .....

ratechaser

Alex9384 said:

Also read this:  https://monzo.com/blog/how-monzos-gambling-block-and-self-exclusion-helped-me-beat-gambling-addiction-and-pay-off-debt

And, what a surprise, the article makes it clear that it was GA (and also AA in this case) that put him on the road to recovery because he was always able to get around any self exclusion blocks that he put in place... compulsive gamblers are like that, sneaky and devious. And I'm not saying that to be nasty, just that it's symptomatic of the addiction.

OP, this will be my last post on the subject while you continue to ignore the simple fact that you are focusing your efforts in the wrong place. Perhaps it's just a case of you being genuinely misguided, but more likely/commonly it's an unwillingness to face up to the cold hard reality of your situation. 

So please, for the final time - go to a GA meeting!

MalMonroe

rogertb said:

Hi chaps I’ll try and keep this brief, the co- op bank has no systems for stopping me spending on on-line betting sites, I’m happy with the bank otherwise so I thought I’d cancel my cards with them and then if I get an interest free c/card with another provider are there any that have a “gambling filter” please ? ... is this just too complicated ?

Hi. The problem is - you have a problem which you obviously know needs to be addressed. The solution isn't to bank with an organisation that will stop you gambling but to try to stop gambling yourself. I know it isn't easy but are you aware that gambling is now accepted as an illness, a form of addiction? Help is free on the NHS.

There's a link here : https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/gambling-addiction/

A lot of addicts don't want to stop what they are doing but it seems that you do, and it seems to be the ideal time to contact the NHS to see what they can do for you. They can help, and research into gambling is ongoing, as we speak.

It'd be great if banks did have the facility to stop people being addicted to whatever they are addicted to but it's probably just not possible. You can help yourself, instead of relying on others to do it for you. 

I hope this helps, although it's not advice about banks. There is help out there, you just need to want to accept it. Good luck. x

MalMonroe

Paully28 said:

I think that, as others have said, if you think your gambling is that much of an issue that you are looking for a system to restrict your spending, then a call to gamblers anon would be a good start. Admitting you have a problem that needs addressing is usually the hardest part too. 

He can also get help through the NHS. There is more help now for this problem than ever before. I do hope that the OP feels able to take it.

bullinn1

Thanks MalMonroe, good of you to take the time, I will read the NHS information.