Halifax bank repeatedly declining payment

SamanthaR

My ancient iPad is coming to the end now, so I saved up enough money for a new one and placed the order with Apple. Only problem is, Halifax declined the payment. I contacted Halifax, and they said something about daily limits, only I have actually spent over that amount in the past. They suggested I buy a cheaper iPad. So I tried a cheaper iPad the next day. That was also declined. I contacted Halifax again and got the same story. I asked what my daily limit is, but they repeatedly refused to answer. They suggested I try an even cheaper iPad. So I did that and, guess what? Declined again 

I am certain that I have enough money because I’ve been budgeting for it with YNAB. 

Does anyone have any idea what could be going on? And since I have enough money and am not applying for a loan for the iPad, does Halifax have any legal right to do this? Do they have any legal right to refuse to tell me what my daily limit is, especially since they have clearly drastically reduced it without telling me?

la531983

Where are you attempting to buy it from? Apple direct?

WillPS

Strikes me as bizarre advice to suggest buying something cheaper as a solution when you have enough money. I'd raise a complaint.

And for what it's worth, you need to get a backup bank account, among many other good reasons it'd give you a workaround when you hit hard-to-explain payment card issues.

la531983

WillPS said:

Strikes me as bizarre advice to suggest buying something cheaper as a solution when you have enough money.

There must be more to the story that has been told. No bank would decline a payment for this reason assuming funds are there, the card is valid and the merchant is legit, they arent social workers.

Neil49

Make sure that it is the genuine Apple website you are buying through and not a spoofed site. It seems like Halifax don't like the source of the payment request. 

SamanthaR

It’s definitely Apple, well, unless a spoof website have managed to link to the Apple Store app stored directly on my phone. I’ve also made successful payments with Apple in the past. I can’t understand it at all.

la531983

In which case I would be making a complaint.

In the meantime open a Monzo account, ensuring you click the virtual card option during sign up (think thats still an option?), so you dont have to wait for the card to arrive, and move the money there and buy it.  The 2nd account advice above is sound, what would you do if Halifax just froze everything? Always wise to have a backup.

SamanthaR

la531983 said:

WillPS said:

Strikes me as bizarre advice to suggest buying something cheaper as a solution when you have enough money.

There must be more to the story that has been told. No bank would decline a payment for this reason assuming funds are there, the card is valid and the merchant is legit, they arent social workers.

They aren’t social workers, but they are adamant that there is a daily spending limit which I keep going over, though they won’t tell me what it is.

The only thing I can possibly think is that I had a joint account with my mother. She passed away last year. She didn’t really have capacity and wasn’t paying any of her bills. Some allowed me or other family to pay, but some would only deal with her. She passed away with some accounts over a year in arrears. That said, all the companies agreed I wasn’t responsible for this and that her debts died with her 

la531983

SamanthaR said:

la531983 said:

WillPS said:

Strikes me as bizarre advice to suggest buying something cheaper as a solution when you have enough money.

There must be more to the story that has been told. No bank would decline a payment for this reason assuming funds are there, the card is valid and the merchant is legit, they arent social workers.

They aren’t social workers, but they are adamant that there is a daily spending limit which I keep going over, though they won’t tell me what it is.

I think this bit is a load of bull tbh, Ive spent thousands in one go on my Halifax card, and I cant find anything online about a daily spending limit. Transfer limits, yes.

You need to put an official complaint in.

WillPS

la531983 said:

WillPS said:

Strikes me as bizarre advice to suggest buying something cheaper as a solution when you have enough money.

There must be more to the story that has been told. No bank would decline a payment for this reason assuming funds are there, the card is valid and the merchant is legit, they arent social workers.

I have been told similar rubbish back in the 'good old days' of going to the branch to sort things out. ISTR some made up limit based on the fact my card was a Solo card. With hindsight I think it falls under the category of 'making something up to bounce a customer they don't know how to help'.

Unlike then tho there will be a recording of the call, I would implore the OP to complain - among other reasons - so the agent can get the training they need to better help future customers.

SamanthaR

la531983 said:

Where are you attempting to buy it from? Apple direct?

The Apple Store app on my iPhone