Anyone else having issues with their bank over Christmas and new year? A number of times now, my bank, Santander and my daughters bank have been blocking purchases. Santander told me on the phone it was because there's more fraud at this time of year so they're being extra careful.

Damned nuisance though when you're building a new PC and need to make purchases.

Anyone else had an issue? Primarily UK, but interested in what foreign banks are doing. 

I tend to use Paypal and have not had any problems with that. Were you perhaps using a card which has not had much use for a while.

Even making two or three larger than usual transactions in a short time will flag up on their systems. The action they take will then depend on their individual policies and the rate of actual fraud being experienced. It's not that they don't trust you, they just don't trust anyone if certain patterns of card use occur.

it's typical when fraud increases. My bank just nortified me they are adding an extra layer of security that will get flagged anytime my usage patterns are unusual. In this case I'd just have to verify my identity but after that the transaction would be completed.

Frustrating but unfortunately a sign of the times.

 

15 minutes ago, Biggles2010 said:

 Were you perhaps using a card which has not had much use for a while.

Even making two or three larger than usual transactions in a short time will flag up on their systems. T

 

Nope, my usual card. They were larger than usual transactions of course, as I'm building a PC. Inconsistent though. Tried to order a graphics card and blocked. Tried again a week later and went through, but ended up cancelling that transaction. Then ordered a 3090 and no issue at all despite being an expensive card. A week or so later, tried to order a Dyson Vacuum cleaner and failed. 

My daughter has had two attempts fail on her card too, different bank. 

I've had the same issue when i bought some scenery in the last couple of days.

I got a text from my bank, asking to confirm that it was me and then everything looks like it went through ok although later i got another text saying that some may have been declined and to check my account in due course or to contact the supplier

So i will wait and see if i get anything from the scenery makers but according to their emails on purchase all is ok 

12 minutes ago, vgbaron said:

it's typical when fraud increases. My bank just nortified me they are adding an extra layer of security that will get flagged anytime my usage patterns are unusual. In this case I'd just have to verify my identity but after that the transaction would be completed.

Frustrating but unfortunately a sign of the times.

 

 

Yes, verifying identity is usually what happens with my bank. They send a One Time Password (OTP) to my phone, I enter it and all is well. Either that or they will simply send me a text and ask me to type "Y" if its a valid transaction.

Neither of those methods have been applied lately though, they just block the transaction. Then its a case of having to contact them and jump through hoops, answer various questions like, the value of recent transactions from memory, just to be able to speak to them.  

 

Happened to me in the recent past that some banks deny transactions if your current IP address is different from the IP of the country that has issued the credit card. Check if that's your case, as this is maybe happening more often now.

Cheers, Ed

3 minutes ago, edpatino said:

Happened to me in the recent past that some banks deny transactions if your current IP address is different from the IP of the country that has issued the credit card. Check if that's your case, as this is maybe happening more often now.

Cheers, Ed

 

Yep, that's it Ed... you have hit the nail on the head. That's exactly the situation,. Recently moved to Guernsey. Previously UK. 👍

 

Seems to be inconsistent though. Sometimes they do sometimes they don't. 

Edited January 1, 20215 yr by martin-w

Now that the IP address has been mentioned,  over the Thanksgiving (U.S) holiday, I was down in SoCal and was ordering something from Amazon.  I had to go through the "Security" process to get my order to go through.  Makes sense! 🤔

38 minutes ago, martin-w said:

Recently moved to Guernsey

What a beautiful place!. Good move!.

Cheers, Ed

2 hours ago, edpatino said:

What a beautiful place!. Good move!.

Cheers, Ed

 

It is Ed. First time in my life living by the coast. New years day, walking on the beach with my daughter. 

 

I grew up on the coast (California). I miss it and you're going to love it. Spend as much time walking on the beach with your daughter as you can.....you'll know later in life what I mean.

48 minutes ago, martin-w said:

 

It is Ed. First time in my life living by the coast. New years day, walking on the beach with my daughter. 

 

You’re lucky enough. I have all my sons (3 daughters, 2 boys) spread all over the world (Europe, South America, Canada and Middle East), so no time to spend together.

Enjoy your time.

Cheers, Ed 

16 hours ago, edpatino said:

You’re lucky enough. I have all my sons (3 daughters, 2 boys) spread all over the world (Europe, South America, Canada and Middle East), so no time to spend together.

Enjoy your time.

Cheers, Ed 

 

Are you originally from the UK Ed? I ask because most Americans aren't usually familiar with the Channel Islands. 

 

15 minutes ago, martin-w said:

 

Are you originally from the UK Ed? I ask because most Americans aren't usually familiar with the Channel Islands. 

 

Hi Martin:

No, I was born in Cuba and when I was 6 years old my parents and myself moved to FL-USA.

I worked and lived in France - Paris - La Defense for almost 4 years in the early eighties and used to travel very often to the Normandy region (to Lillebonne, to be exact). On the weekends I used to visit the coast of Normandy and once there I met people from the Channel Islands and new more about the islands. Unfortunately I had never the time to travel to Alderney or Guernsey, both of which I eagerly wanted to visit because of their geography, something that will remain pending for my next life I guess 😄.

Thanks for asking.

Cheers, Ed