Several websites suddenly not working with Nationwide debit card?

channedTatum

Hi all,

So I did a quick search and couldn't find anything on here about it, therefore posting this in case anyone also has the same issue in future or I missed something:

Recently, my transactions are being 'declined' on legitimate websites!? Specifically (for now):
https://www.kinguin.net/
https://store.mele.cn/
https://www.sharkninja.co.uk

I can still make purchases on other super-generic sites such as eBay, Sainsbury's, Tesco's etc.

Notes for context: I've purchased from these sites before, and never had any issues with transactions until now. Also their customer service has been excellent (to this point), however this current situation is quite perplexing. Between the respective websites and my bank (Nationwide), no-one can actually 'see' the real problem. The bank says THEY haven't declined/blocked anything (and confirmed the previous purchases were totally fine), while the respective websites can only see that the transaction 'was declined', but have admitted they can't 100% exactly confirm what caused it other than 'their' system says it has been declined.
Also, I've had cards blocked on precaution of presumed/potential fraud before (and subsequently had them unblocked after a phone call with the bank) so I understand that process, but this is NOT that, since the bank confirmed no such block was in place etc.and no transactions have been flagged, now or recently. And I've tried with and without VPN, various browsers etc., so not that either. >_>

This is the first time this has happened in this way and I'm quite perplexed, but figured I would post here in case someone has an idea of what it could be, or at least in future someone else does a similar search and is able to confirm it isn't just them, thanks!

In the meantime, I'd rather not setup an entirely new bank account with someone else just to see if that works, but I might have to (if I do, I'll feedback here to confirm if that worked or not).

StewedApple

What happens if you use another debit card from a different organisation?

born_again

Sites maybe being targeted by fraudsters. As such they then are more likely trigger a security check 👍

channedTatum

Thanks for the responses!

@StewedApple As mentioned I don't have another card I can use at the moment. Seems like a lot to open an entirely new bank account just to make some purchases but yes, I may have to. Will confirm here if I go that route.

@born_again That would make sense regarding the security check, and that was my first thought as well, but it's not presenting as that, nor have any of the sites mentioned such a situation, which is deeply odd (i.e. nothing has been flagged on their end other than the transaction has failed, and to them it looks as if the bank has declined it). Equally, the banks only guess is that they've implemented a new system which is playing up (or flagging something as you suggest), but logically it's presenting as though it were a bug/error on the system's part, otherwise you would think at least one side (of 'the coin' so to speak) would be able to explain it? (it's as if it's happening inside a 'black box' and no-one can see inside, almost like they're relying too much on automation without enough 'humans in the loop', but hey, what do I know…)

Again for context: I've dealt with all sorts of blocks, limits, and security checks etc. over the years, but I've never seen something like this where everyone concerned can't confirm what it actually is, including my bank. I'm in communication with one of the vendors again now though, hoping they can figure it out. It's such a random group of sites, and such an oddly specific time period in which this issue began (the same week for all three), that I'm strongly leaning toward the banks suggestion.

born_again

Have you checked to see if your available balance is lower than it should be?

As often bank will approve transaction, but retailers site times out with a failed message.

channedTatum

Yup, available balance is well above what it needs to be and definitely not an issue (in fact I've never even been overdrawn, but that's another story…)

You mention something interesting though born_again, so to confirm that as well: The payment failure is VERY quick. As in, it only takes a split second or so to happen, which again tells me it's an issue in their (the vendors) system, or more accurately, the system they are using.

Also, I realize looking back with all the context I gave, I still omitted a key detail (I think?) in my original post, although I implied it, but really should have clarified, sorry:
My bank had no issues with these vendors before as mentioned, but I didn't properly clarify that they (the bank) aren't even SEEING these latest payment attempts. They have the last time I purchased from, say, Kinguin (for example) on their records, but have since not received or processed a single payment request or transaction for the same vendor, successful or otherwise. So yeah, definitely an issue on the side of the vendor, as the payment/transaction process doesn't even make it as far as the banks systems in any way, shape, or form.

StewedApple

Thanks for the responses!

@StewedApple As mentioned I don't have another card I can use at the moment. Seems
like a lot to open an entirely new bank account just to make some
purchases but yes, I may have to. Will confirm here if I go that route.

From what you're describing I don't think it's your card that's the issue - I suspect something in the payment chain has fallen down - maybe the merchant acquirer?

I suspect it could happen randomly to anyone with any card.

However on a tangent, I'd always recommend 2 or more separate bank accounts with different organisations (or another payment method) as there can be technical failures at any time with any organisation. There are a lot of banks offering accounts with attractive regular savers and one of these with a modest balance is always a good idea - ironically, I suspect this would not help in your current situation but it would be a way of proving it.

M4rkOne97One

I've tried to have one credit card that uses the Visa network and one that uses the MasterCard network. That way if one network goes down I can still use the other. Unfortunately Halifax moving to Visa has now scuppered that plan.

Bigwheels1111

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097391#Comment_82097391

That has thrown a spanner in the works for me also. I like 2 sims in my phone so I can generally get a signal in most places, EE and Lebara at the moment.

channedTatum

@StewedApple Yes it seems too generic to be related to the card itself, but I'll probably arrange a second account at some point either way.

@M4rkOne97One Good point about the different payment vendors/networks, as my current card is a Visa I'll see about an account offering Mastercard if/when I go that route.

StewedApple

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097701#Comment_82097701

Somebody else mentioned utilities such as ApplePay etc. I don't use them but they may be a worthwhile alternative to the "all eggs in one basket". It's commonplace now to read in the press of Bank X being down or under a cyber attack, you can't have options for all eventualities but an alternative is sensible and practical.