T.C. wrote:It has happened to us several times, and it all started when the Mrs decided to pay for a pay and go phone top up online.
Every 3 weeks her card would get blocked, and a couple of times it left her stranded at a garage unable to pay for fuel
After several complaints and nothing being done despite asurances from the Banks head office, a comlplaint to the FSA got a compensation award of £750 for the inconvenience and to be fair it has not happened since.
The banks fraud departments have little idea of how fraud is actually committed
I had a similar issue a couple of years ago, with a debit card and a pay as u go account. I have a cheap mobile with O2 that I take on hols because it is cheaper and less lkely to be nicked than my contract phone.
I decided to it top up over the phone, (as normal tey day b4 the hols), and had problems with the first call. It seemed to lose the call half way through and died without completing. I repeated the call and topped up the max amount, which was £25 I think, needed more so I topped up again with a bit more straight after, which worked OK.
Went to fill up the car on the way to the airport b4 hols and card refused, so had to pay by cash and just went on hols.
Contacted NatWest from the airport, who told me that the card had been blocked and cancelled because of suspected fraudulent use.
Asked could they re-activate it, said no they would send me a new one, explained I was at the airprort about to leave for Cyprus in an hour, so that would be NFU. Demanded to speak to a manager, but none available so finally agreed to put me through to the NW Fraud Unit direct.
They waffled on a lot, but again could only send me a new card out now the old one was cancelled.
Off we went on hols and managed OK, just did't eat out as much and the Euros we had lasted OK, had a credit card if it came to the worst.
Got back home and phoned the fraud unit direct and complained that it had caused us distress and worry on the holiday, not knowing if we had enough cash to get through and no chance of withdrawing any more. Explained that my wife had been particularly worried on holiday, (as she was). Also complained that as I use online banking, they have my email, landline and mobile details, so surely they could have contacted me before cancelling.
They said that that might have been a risk, if they thought the card had been stolen, I told them that was absolute bollox and I would be closing all my accounts with them, having been with them since leaving school, as I was totally disgusted etc., etc..
They then went into begging mode, what can we do to keep your business, etc. etc..
I explained that I had never had a problem before with them, but was still upset.
What can we do to compensate? We would like to keep your business!
If we were to transfer £100 into your account today would that be acceptable?
I agreed that because previous service had been very good that would be acceptable, and the money came straight through.
A couple of days later a courier delivered as big a bunch of flowers I have ever seen via Interflora, must have been way over £50.
They contacted me later to ask if we had received them and explained again that they were sorry for the issues and hope these would compensate my wife for the "worry" during the holiday.
They explaine how, when cards are stolen, the thieves often try something simple like 2 or 3 phone top ups and so they automatically block the card.
It satisfied us both and left us happy.