Bank repeatedly declined online payment, no reason given

Kippets

Bank of Scotland caused me a bit of an upset a few days ago when they declined an online payment to Amazon four times in a row before I gave up and used my other bank's debit card. My BoS card is not blocked, as I have used it since, and I am wondering what on earth the problem was - I didn't receive any SMS alert or a request to approve the transaction at the time. This is not the first time it has happened, either; it occurred a month ago as well.

I am wondering anyone else on the forum has experienced this and whether it is an Amazon issue or a bank issue. I did use the messaging facility on the bank's website to speak to someone at their end but they said they had no idea, which I quite frankly didn't find very helpful.

born_again

Kippets said:

Bank of Scotland caused me a bit of an upset a few days ago when they declined an online payment to Amazon four times in a row before I gave up and used my other bank's debit card. My BoS card is not blocked, as I have used it since, and I am wondering what on earth the problem was - I didn't receive any SMS alert or a request to approve the transaction at the time. This is not the first time it has happened, either; it occurred a month ago as well.

I am wondering anyone else on the forum has experienced this and whether it is an Amazon issue or a bank issue. I did use the messaging facility on the bank's website to speak to someone at their end but they said they had no idea, which I quite frankly didn't find very helpful.

Did you speak to them after it was declined to see if it was a security check, or just keep trying?

Slinky

It's a payment to Amazon who are the subject for a lot attempts at fraudulent charges to cards. You'll probably find if you call them they were suspicious about the first transaction for some reason and blocked your card to protect you. I had something similar with a payment I was trying to make once with Santander (can't remember who to now) who didn't bother to contact me in any way, I only found out when I called them. I confirmed it was a legitimate transaction and they unblocked the card.

Bigwheels1111

Call them, complain.
I had to make payment by other means etc.
I would like some compensation for time effort etc.
Works for me all the time.

hupik

I had this exact same issue and after multiple calls to the bank and the fraud line (who I was told to contact) it still wasn't sorted. I ended up finding out from a completely different bank that it was because my address details didn't match.
The missmatch was because the bank did not have the council area I lived in but everything else did so they kept refusing the payment BUT not telling me (it was very annoying).

As soon as I updated the address everything started going through fine.

I would suggest checking that the address details match exactly

Kippets

Yes, I tried to call them but I really wasn't happy with spending 40+ minutes on hold, so I have decided to close the account.born_again said:

Kippets said:

Bank of Scotland caused me a bit of an upset a few days ago when they declined an online payment to Amazon four times in a row before I gave up and used my other bank's debit card. My BoS card is not blocked, as I have used it since, and I am wondering what on earth the problem was - I didn't receive any SMS alert or a request to approve the transaction at the time. This is not the first time it has happened, either; it occurred a month ago as well.

I am wondering anyone else on the forum has experienced this and whether it is an Amazon issue or a bank issue. I did use the messaging facility on the bank's website to speak to someone at their end but they said they had no idea, which I quite frankly didn't find very helpful.

Did you speak to them after it was declined to see if it was a security check, or just keep trying?

Yes indeed, my first thought was to give them a ring, but I got the unwelcome recorded message "Due to the volume of calls...." etc etc and gave up after 40 minutes. Which in hindsight makes me wonder whether there was something going on with the bank's systems and I wasn't the only one having issues.

Usually if I am paying a company I haven't paid before the bank simply asks me to approve the transaction via the app, completely straightforward, what was odd was that this was Amazon, which I use quite regularly.

cannugec5

In the last week I’ve had four Amazon transactions declined by my bank ( Tesco), without explanation. The emails informing me said they would attempt again within a few days, so I  ignored them.  By the end of the week all the transactions had been completed and the  goods delivered. 

I knew the card details were all correct as other transactions, also to Amazon went through ok. It was a little frustrating but none of the orders was urgent so I was happy to wait it out. 

I suspect in my case it was the unusual pattern of purchases that aero used suspicion. I’ve been buying DIY/ building supplies and quantities of wine while my brother, a builder, is visiting for a few months! 

Bigwheels1111

I got £50 from Chase bank as they keep declining my payments for Amazon S&S.
That was 2 weeks ago.
Plus the 75p I missed out on, Chase 1% cashback
First 2 calls to Chase said it’s Amazon at fault, As I pointed out that card was entered into Amazon’s payment method 
almost 2 years ago and has never been altered.
I made a purchase there and then while Chase were on the phone and it worked.
Complaint found in my favour.
That £50 will pay for this months orders.

born_again

Kippets said:

Yes, I tried to call them but I really wasn't happy with spending 40+ minutes on hold, so I have decided to close the account.born_again said:

Kippets said:

Bank of Scotland caused me a bit of an upset a few days ago when they declined an online payment to Amazon four times in a row before I gave up and used my other bank's debit card. My BoS card is not blocked, as I have used it since, and I am wondering what on earth the problem was - I didn't receive any SMS alert or a request to approve the transaction at the time. This is not the first time it has happened, either; it occurred a month ago as well.

I am wondering anyone else on the forum has experienced this and whether it is an Amazon issue or a bank issue. I did use the messaging facility on the bank's website to speak to someone at their end but they said they had no idea, which I quite frankly didn't find very helpful.

Did you speak to them after it was declined to see if it was a security check, or just keep trying?

Yes indeed, my first thought was to give them a ring, but I got the unwelcome recorded message "Due to the volume of calls...." etc etc and gave up after 40 minutes. Which in hindsight makes me wonder whether there was something going on with the bank's systems and I wasn't the only one having issues.

Usually if I am paying a company I haven't paid before the bank simply asks me to approve the transaction via the app, completely straightforward, what was odd was that this was Amazon, which I use quite regularly.

Which given the volume of calls, may have meant a issue in the payment system.

Something goes wrong everyone rings in to find out the issue. 🤷‍♀️

So leaving them, could be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire...