ADVICE: Attempted debit from Wizz Air - HSBC apparently can't act

swarden13510

Hello!

I'm in need of some advice on unrecognized transactions that weren't actually successful. I switched to a different account with HSBC a few months ago and they sent out the new card. Because of all the postal delays, I hadn't actually received the new card so stopped using the old card and started using another. My new card finally arrived this week and I went on to Apple Pay to switch the cards over - this is when I noticed two attempted transactions by Wizz Air on the old HSBC card (both were declined because there was obviously an expired block on the card). They were for €4.95 each and one was attempted at the beginning of February and one at the beginning of this month so it looks like some kind of subscription. Not only have I not subscribed to anything with Wizz Air, I haven't even used this card in several months. 

This is concerning to me because I think the only reason why they couldn't take the money is because of the block on the card. None of the transactions show on my bank statement because they weren't successful - it's only on Apple Pay that I can see they were attempted and declined. I called HSBC and they basically say because the fraudulent transactions were unsuccessful there's nothing they can do - they cant even block the merchant from taking future payments. They really didn't seem interested in the slightest. I know it's a small amount but I'm just concerned someone has access to my account and next time the charge will be bigger and successful.

Surely there has to be a way to stop these attempts? Now I have a new card that is active, will they be able to try this again? Should I try to contact Wizz Air? Is there anything else that anyone would suggest?

[Deleted User]

The bank is correct. There is no action to be taken against someone who hasn't taken money from your account.  Should a non-valid transaction go through, that would be the time to dispute it.

Someone may be attempting transactions on your expired card details. They'll only try it on your new card if they have those details.

Just monitor your account. 

molerat

If they are only showing in your ApplePay account that is where the transactions were attempted.  You need to find out who else has access to your ApplePay details.

PRAISETHESUN

I agree with molerat that it sounds like ApplePay might be the culprit here. I'd change your security details as a precaution. Outside of that, if you don't use your HSBC card then I'd just keep it frozen in your online banking so no-one else can use it. They shouldn't be able to attempt it again if you've got new card details.

Definitely wouldn't bother contacting Wizz Air - they are likely to care even less than HSBC, particularly since you're not their customer.

Ergates

swarden13510 said:

Surely there has to be a way to stop these attempts? Now I have a new card that is active, will they be able to try this again? Should I try to contact Wizz Air? Is there anything else that anyone would suggest?

There is no way the bank (or anyone else) can prevent someone from *trying* to take money from your account - they can just stop some *actually* taking money from your account. 

swarden13510

Ergates said:

There is no way the bank (or anyone else) can prevent someone from *trying* to take money from your account - they can just stop some *actually* taking money from your account. 

I understand that but I would have thought that if I flagged this as a suspicious transaction then if it was attempted again it would be declined on that basis?

I had a look at Apple Pay but under my subscriptions there's nothing for Wizz Air... I'm going to take everyone's advice and just keep an eye on the account. The card remains frozen so hopefully nothing else is attempted.

[Deleted User]

swarden13510 said:

Ergates said:

There is no way the bank (or anyone else) can prevent someone from *trying* to take money from your account - they can just stop some *actually* taking money from your account. 

I understand that but I would have thought that if I flagged this as a suspicious transaction then if it was attempted again it would be declined on that basis?

HSBC aren't going to block all Wizz Air transactions. They won't know if you made them or not.

swarden13510

Deleted_User said:

swarden13510 said:

Ergates said:

There is no way the bank (or anyone else) can prevent someone from *trying* to take money from your account - they can just stop some *actually* taking money from your account. 

I understand that but I would have thought that if I flagged this as a suspicious transaction then if it was attempted again it would be declined on that basis?

HSBC aren't going to block all Wizz Air transactions. They won't know if you made them or not.

But if it's the same amount taken at the same time of the month surely they would be able to put 2 and 2 together. These banks use complex trends and algorithms to recognize fraudulent transactions - it's logical to think they'd be able to recognize this one, especially after it's been flagged to them.

400ixl

Have you some how signed up to the Wizz Air Membership?

If so, found this on how to cancel https://justuseapp.com/cancel/583348801/wizz-air

[Deleted User]

swarden13510 said:

Deleted_User said:

swarden13510 said:

Ergates said:

There is no way the bank (or anyone else) can prevent someone from *trying* to take money from your account - they can just stop some *actually* taking money from your account. 

I understand that but I would have thought that if I flagged this as a suspicious transaction then if it was attempted again it would be declined on that basis?

HSBC aren't going to block all Wizz Air transactions. They won't know if you made them or not.

But if it's the same amount taken at the same time of the month surely they would be able to put 2 and 2 together. These banks use complex trends and algorithms to recognize fraudulent transactions - it's logical to think they'd be able to recognize this one, especially after it's been flagged to them.

But they don't need to, as the transactions aren't going through.  They can't stop the transaction being presented.

Their complex trends and algorithms will flag unusual activity. They don't work on manual blocks.

born_again

Ever flown on Wizz air & bought something in flight. These can sometimes takes months to show up. If they forget to take card reader to download sales.