Barclaycard Rewards Card CPAs

GeoffTF

The dental practice that I use has introduced new computer software. Previously, monthly subscriptions were taken by Direct Debit. The new software does not support that. They can now collect monthly subscriptions only via credit or debit card Continuous Payment Authorities (CPAs).

They wanted me to set up a CPA up over the telephone. I gave them my credit card details, but they wanted me to give them a code that would be sent to my mobile phone. No chance! They suggested that I come into the practice instead, which I did.

I was expecting a chip and PIN transaction, but they still wanted me to give them a code that would be sent to my mobile phone. The text message that I received said that I was authorising a payment for just over £20. It did not tell me who the payee was, or that I was setting up a CPA. I went ahead with that on the basis that I was not risking any more that just over £20.

I logged into my Barclaycard Rewards Card account when I got home. My account was showing a pending payment to the dental practice for the correct amount. It did not say anything about a CPA. I searched in for a section that would tell be about my CPAs, without success. Does anyone know where I can find this information?

born_again

CPA's are not listed as any different to a normal card payment on a Credit card/Debit card. 

Some bank accounts, may list CPA's but many do not.

If you want to stop the CPA in the future, then contact retailer to cancel & also bank/card provider & ask them to stop any future payments. Should any be taken after you have cancelled. Then you have a right to claim the funds back via  bank/card provider 👍

sausage_time

You should never tell anyone a SMS verification code.  In fact I have this in a "Know how to stay safe from fraud"  e-mail from Barclaycard just a few days ago:

Here are our top tips:
Never tell anyone your card PIN, full online banking PIN, passcode, password or one-time verification code
....

That's the number one tip!

GeoffTF

sausage_time said:

You should never tell anyone a SMS verification code.

Absolutely. I have been told the same. Nonetheless, that is the only way that the dental practice can set up monthly payments with their new software. I either had to find a new dentist or ignore that advice. The practice is also phoning people and asking them to give their credit card details over the phone. Another no no. Ring them. They also seemed to think there would not be a problem if I had an app on my phone and used that to authorise the transaction, but that is just as bad.

It would be much better if Visa's text message told me the payee and warned me that I was setting up a CPA. Nonetheless, the initial payment was only for just over £20, and the correct payee is now showing online. Always check the payment amount!

The dental practice (and my GP practice) are also very fond of sending me text messages with links in them. Never click on links in text messages or emails!

sausage_time

The dental practice should know the drill.

GeoffTF

sausage_time said:

The dental practice should know the drill.

The dental practice has dug itself into a big hole. I feel sorry for the young lady who has the job of signing people up to the new system.

QrizB

sausage_time said:

The dental practice should know the drill.

That is a truly terrible pun.

Keep up the good work 🤣

penners324

I can't believe there is any software system that does what the dental practice suggests it does. They will likely find themselves without many customers if so.

GeoffTF

penners324 said:

I can't believe there is any software system that does what the dental practice suggests it does. They will likely find themselves without many customers if so.

Their software system definitely does do that, and perhaps they are losing some customers as a result. As I have said, it is not as risky in this case as the bank warnings suggest, because you are only authorising a pavement of just over £20.