Lloyds credit card is unusable due to overzealous security algorithm

shaunm1985

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82053544#Comment_82053544

Finally had my response from the ombudsman - they focused on the credit card agreement point that allows an issuing bank to block a card whenever it suspects it may be a fraudulent transaction. They did not address the impact this had on the user, the frequency this occurs, nor the hoops the bank demands to get the card unblocked.

Learning points - take several cards from different banking institutions, and don’t bother with the ombudsman as they are not interested.

Maegi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82112739#Comment_82112739

Sending a single sms when roaming costs from free to something like 50p per text and doesn't require data.

If you can afford expensive travel, you can afford a 50p text message to unblock your card.

Maegi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82112831#Comment_82112831

SMS are send over the signalling channels so are easily received (without charge) via 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G.

Nasqueron

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82112836#Comment_82112836

Your complaint is that the bank followed (perhaps overzealous) security processes which they are required to. The FOS will not penalise them for following the rules they have to operate under.

Tim_L

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82111755#Comment_82111755

I can usually receive SMS, but not send them. I'm using eSims for internet, and apps such as Viber for calls to a number, or WhatsApp/Signal etc to talk to people I know. Usually the eSims don't have a call out or SMS send function but even if they did it would mean updating the number used by the bank. Obviously if I were travelling in Europe this wouldn't be an issue, but I was in the Far East last few weeks.

I did just get a £60 ex gratia payment to my account, nothing to tell me why, but wonder if it's related to the complaint.

And yeah, they don't divulge the blacklist. I went from Timor l'Este (blacklisted) to Myanmar (apparently OK) and then Bhutan (OK). You can understand the rationale to a degree, but it is an absolute PITA.