Lloyds credit card is unusable due to overzealous security algorithm

Loser999

I am fortunate in that I have never been out of work or had any financial problems, and have an excellent credit history. That is not good enough for Lloyds whose automated security algorithms have twice stopped me from buying something with my Lloyds so-called 'Ultra' credit card, and then blocked the card. This is despite using 2 factor authentication and the items taking my balance to less than my credit limit.

This is extremely annoying and inconvenient, particularly when they don't bother to inform of what they have done and the card doesn't work when you next come to use it! I had to call THEM in order to unblock the card. This was even after I had called them the day before to inform them that I was about to make a purchase of several thousand pounds. They say they are protecting me from fraud (non- existent in this case) when in actual fact they are only protecting themselves. In most cases of fraud customers are refunded, unless they have been very careless.

I believe credit card providers should be required to contact customers immediately when their card has been stopped. The reliance on algorithms alone leaves the customers up sh*t creek with no quick means of resolving the issue at the point of sale.

Isthisforreal99

What you believe is pretty irrelevant, if it was a fraudulent transaction then who is on the hook for the money - not you. If they were to phone every customer on every large transaction.....not really realistic is it.

At the end of the day when you are spending someone else's money then they make the rules.

Loser999

"What you believe is pretty irrelevant" - nice put down, thanks.

Other credit card providers do this. I remember getting a phone call in M&S in Eastleigh when buying a 3 piece suite and they wanted to confirm I was legit. I went to Lloyds for their reward scheme but will be moving on now that this introductory benefit is drawing to a close, and the service is so poor

maman

To put the other side of the coin , I have a Lloyd's Ultra card and have had no problems at all. I was abroad a couple of weeks ago and wondered if there might be an issue with irregular usage but all was well so maybe you're unlucky.

Out of curiosity, when did they have M&S in Eastleigh? 🤔

Isthisforreal99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81961144#Comment_81961144

It wasn't a put down, I believe a lot of things but don't expect any financial institutions really cares and certainly won't change their processes because of what I think - that's the reality

mta999

I have had no problem with large purchases with my Lloyds ultra credit card - that's not to belittle your problem of course

What I find is that for large or unusual purchases they ask me to authorize via the app - - did they do that?

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81961163#Comment_81961163

To put the third side of the coin…..

I've just taken delivery of a new Lloyds Ultra, so far it's been used once, a £100 online purchase, no problems.

It's to replace a Santander Edge as my daily spender, promotion period has ended so cashback now same as Ultra but with £3/mth fee.

Never had a refusal on the Edge, even with some chunky purchases overseas - if this Ultra is going to get bounced every time I get a bit carried away in Waitrose then it's getting binned.

SiliconChip

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81961254#Comment_81961254

I doubt if you'll have an issue, I've had my Ultra card for 5 months and used it 41 times without any problems at all, for amounts from £4 to £700 (the limit on the card is £1000), occasionally I'll have to authorise a purchase in the app but that's always been straightforward.

Perhaps the OP could tell us whether there is something in common in the types of transaction they have had trouble with, and if there is other people could advise if they have completed such transactions successfully or not.

safe_hands2

I've had a couple of great experiences with Santander. The app notified me a couple of weeks ago to get me to check a payment attempting to be made in US. I confirmed it wasn't me and card was blocked immediately and a new one arrived a few days later. Same thing happened last year, but that time it was me, so payment approved and all ok. So it can work well.

fatbelly

I bank with Lloyds and am aware that when they are good, they are good, but when something goes wrong they are a PITA.

My instinct has been never to use them for credit cards. I have a Tesco card for most purchases, an HSBC one for online use and a Co-Op one which my wife mainly uses as a second cardholder. I have had good experiences with the latter two when I have needed customer service but suspect that would not be the case with Lloyds

HillStreetBlues

Today I spent £3k (£3k limit) on my Lloyds CC today no issue.