Asda Money/Jaja finance and/or fraud check advice?

Gemstars2024

Has anyone had any fraud issues with this provider? 

I've had an Asda Money credit card for just under a year. All going fine until a couple of weeks ago when it was declined. I assumed it might have been something to do with paying using my phone and not having the card on me but when I tried another day using the card it was still declined. 

I've had no communications from the provider. Tried calling but the call was cut off after passing security. Spoke to online chat who told me there's an investigation in place but could tell me nothing else. 

I assume it's some sort of fraud check but I can't imagine why - it's an Asda card I only use in Asda and the monthly bill, which is paid off in full each month, ranges from approx £60-£150 each month. I only got it for the reward points. 

I've never experienced a fraud check before and I'm concerned about any impact it may have on my credit file. I'm hoping to buy a house in the next year so have been obsessively improving my score to put me the the best position for a mortgage application. 

CliveOfIndia

Gemstars2024 said:

Spoke to online chat who told me there's an investigation in place but could tell me nothing else.

If a bank is undertaking an investigation, they're not allowed - by law - to give you any details.  So in and of itself, that is perfectly understandable.

It would be foolish of me to try and hazard a guess as to what may have triggered this, it could be any one of a multitude of things.  All you can do is wait until they've completed their investigation, and see what the outcome is.

Gemstars2024 said:

I've never experienced a fraud check before and I'm concerned about any impact it may have on my credit file. I'm hoping to buy a house in the next year so have been obsessively improving my score to put me the the best position for a mortgage application. 

Any impact on your score is irrelevant, as it plays no part in any lending decision.  However, a fraud marked would obviously have a big impact.  In all likelihood, from what you've described, you'll be fine.  If the investigation finds that you've done nothing wrong, or are an innocent victim, then there'll be no record of it on your credit files.  I'm assuming that you genuinely have no reason to suspect there's been any fraudulent activity on your account, any unusual transactions, large transactions to a foreign country that you've never bought from before, that kind of thing?

Gemstars2024

CliveOfIndia said: I'm assuming that you genuinely have no reason to suspect there's been any fraudulent activity on your account, any unusual transactions, large transactions to a foreign country that you've never bought from before, that kind of thing?

Nope, it's literally just in store payments to Asda totalling somewhere between 60-150ish each month for the past 10 months since opening.

The current balance before it was blocked in around £70. 

I also have no concerns over any of my other accounts, credit/savings/ISAs etc. 

CliveOfIndia

I mean, it may something as simple as they've noticed a suspicious (attempted) transaction on your card and have blocked it whilst they investigate.  Plucking a scenario out of the air, someone has somehow got hold of your card details and has tried to buy an expensive item in Dubai using it.  Banks are actually pretty good these days at doing their best to protect their customers - which obviously benefits you in the long run, albeit it's a short-term inconvenience.

Like I say, there are so many reason why banks will investigate something - apart from anything else, they're under increasing pressure from the regulators to reduce fraud and protect customers.  And they face pretty stiff penalties if they don't investigate suspicious activity.

Obviously it's impossible for me to say for certain - but I very strongly suspect that no lasting impact (to you) will come of this.