Debit Card with nominal balance

caveman38

Is there any way you can have a DC with only a small balance. This would be used for buying coffees etc. when at a swimming pool. The fear of having card stolen from locker prevents my wife from taking hers with her. But is seeking an alternative for small purchases with little liability if lost/stolen.

daveyjp

Starling or Monzo account topped up when money is required.

DullGreyGuy

Debit cards dont have a discrete limit but just can spend what's in the current account they are attached to. So if you want to cap total spend then get a new current account without an overdraft (eg Starling) and transfer your £20 or whatever a week in there for coffees. 

With many banks you can also set a per transaction limit on contactless, with Starling you can even turn off the ability to withdraw cash, use it for gambling, a daily limit as well as a transaction limit and a number of other features. 

Does she take her mobile with her to the pool? The other option is no card and just use Apple/Google Pay instead

p00hsticks

caveman38 said:

Is there any way you can have a DC with only a small balance. This would be used for buying coffees etc. when at a swimming pool. The fear of having card stolen from locker prevents my wife from taking hers with her. But is seeking an alternative for small purchases with little liability if lost/stolen.

Does the swimming pool not take cash ?
Cash fits the bill for making small purchases with no worries about any knock on liability if lost or stolen .... 

DullGreyGuy

p00hsticks said:

caveman38 said:

Is there any way you can have a DC with only a small balance. This would be used for buying coffees etc. when at a swimming pool. The fear of having card stolen from locker prevents my wife from taking hers with her. But is seeking an alternative for small purchases with little liability if lost/stolen.

Does the swimming pool not take cash ?
Cash fits the bill for making small purchases with no worries about any knock on liability if lost or stolen .... 

Though if it goes it's gone whereas if a card is stolen you're not typically liable for the transactions and so will get the monies back (as we did when Mrs' card went AWOL either on way to gym or at gym)

Nasqueron

p00hsticks said:

caveman38 said:

Is there any way you can have a DC with only a small balance. This would be used for buying coffees etc. when at a swimming pool. The fear of having card stolen from locker prevents my wife from taking hers with her. But is seeking an alternative for small purchases with little liability if lost/stolen.

Does the swimming pool not take cash ?
Cash fits the bill for making small purchases with no worries about any knock on liability if lost or stolen .... 

If cards are stolen there is no "knock on liability" whatever that is, provided the bank cannot prove negligence e.g. PIN stored with card, you are not liable for fraudulent transactions and will get any money back. £20 stolen in cash is gone forever

caveman38

p00hsticks said:

caveman38 said:

Is there any way you can have a DC with only a small balance. This would be used for buying coffees etc. when at a swimming pool. The fear of having card stolen from locker prevents my wife from taking hers with her. But is seeking an alternative for small purchases with little liability if lost/stolen.

Does the swimming pool not take cash ?
Cash fits the bill for making small purchases with no worries about any knock on liability if lost or stolen .... 

No cash. Card only
I appreciate the replies re. not being liable for fraudulent transactions but it's the aggro it causes which she wants to avoid. 
It was suggested to her that a Pre paid debit card may be what she needs. I wonder if that would ne the answer.
 

Martico

If she carries her phone with her, then the above suggestion of Apple/ Google Pay would seem to be the easiest solution. Phone has to be unlocked before paying, so as secure as a PIN

Zinger549

One of the app only banks or a Revolute card

Sarahspangles

caveman38 said:

Is there any way you can have a DC with only a small balance. This would be used for buying coffees etc. when at a swimming pool. The fear of having card stolen from locker prevents my wife from taking hers with her. But is seeking an alternative for small purchases with little liability if lost/stolen.

I’ve considered getting a pre-paid card for exactly this scenario. The vending machines at local leisure centres are card only. I’ve looked at the Tesco one that also acts as a loyalty card. It’s supposedly fee-free but I need to read the small print and work out if there’s a minimum top up.

DullGreyGuy

Which is why just a new dedicated current account is a better option than a prepaid card that attracts fees.