Posted on 08/31/2013 6:21:15 PM PDT by Maine Mariner
I am getting ready to write a letter to the Attorney General of Maine asking his office to investigate how companies put hold on debit/credit cards.
During a recent trip we used a prepaid AAA debit card; we purchased gasoline for $29.00 and paid at the pump. After our purchase we checked our statement and the company put a hold of $75.00 on the card. We have a receipt for $29.00. A couple of days later the $75.00 dropped off and our card was debited for the actual amount of the purchase. I understand a company can put a hold on a card, but the story gets worse, much worse.
On August 28, my wife went to purchase gasoline using that same AAA card and swiped the card at the pump. She saw that it was to be a credit purchase and not wanting a $75.00 hold CANCELLED THE TRANSACTION. She purchased no gasoline with that AAA debit card. Well, you guessed it-a mere swipe of the card automatically has put a $75.00 hold on our card. As of 8 pm on August 31 the hold is still there. Here is my question to anyone that can help. What right does a company have to put a hold on my money when NO purchase was made?
I use my AMEX for the sky miles. Over the years we have gone to Hawaii (3 x’s), Japan, Costa Rica, Niagara Falls, Chicago & St. Martin (2x’s) for between $5 and $60 (foreign tax) per round trip.
It depends upon which gas station you use. I recently drove from NM to Ames, Iowa, using a debit card all the way. Some gas stations did the $1.00 charge to make sure the card worked and others just pre-authorized $75 at the pumps as you experienced.
There’s no way around it unless you go inside and say $25 on pump 4. Then they put the purchase through immediately.
Yes, your point is well taken and we will do that in the future. But what I am upset about is that NO purchase occurred. The card was swiped; the transaction cancelled.
The nozzle was not even removed from the pump.
most hotels don’t really charge your card at all if you show up by 6 pm, and then you can pay however you want. if you reserve the room by card and then don’t get there till AFTER 6 pm, that’s when they charge your card. although i have arrived after six, and the charge really isn’t sent thru till 5 am or so.
so if you got charged it means you were late.
I use cards too but the gas thing is a no win deal. I can see where they are coming from.
It’s a common practice.
I was on a trip one time and using American Express prepaid credit card. Bought gas at one station with the card, then stopped at a place to eat later that day and tried to use the same card and it wasn’t accepted. Luckily I had more than one card to use.
Many credit card agreements with retailers involve a means to modify the original transaction with an upcharge for a gratuity or additional authorized charge without swiping the card a second time. Those agreements provide a hold amount for prepaid debit cards when swiped, and a time limit to submit the additional charge for all cards. You are subject to the terms of hose agreements if you choose to pay at those retailers with your card.
Once we drove from Florida to Oklahoma. We stopped at a motel and I gave them an American Express Gold Card. This was back in the early 80s and it actually meant something then.
Anyway the clerk swiped the card with one of those manual slides they used to use. She then phoned in to make sure it was good before letting us stay. I had never had anyone do that before or later. Maybe they do it after you leave the office, I don’t know but it irritated me a bit.
Paying in cash enables tax evasion and payment ‘under the table.’ Real tax reform won’t happen until enough voters feel the wrath of the onerous tax burden.
I’d be paranoid that they’d keep my cash and still charge my card. Have you not had any problems?
I haven’t researched this particular issue, but as a general rule, you have FAR fewer rights with a debit card than you do with a credit card. I’d never have a debit card tied to my bank account. (I can see a limited utility for the prepaids).
Not sure how one would buy a plane ticket either.
Maybe s/he doesn’t travel.
When you use a card at the pump it charges you $1 to ensure the card is valid. The remainder of the purchase hits a while after you pump.
I avoid the hassle and just go inside and pay with my card so it all comes out at once with no “hold” on it.
But cash is better!
Generally, the gas pump has a sign that this is a possibility, just like when you rent a car for a week a two week hold is on the card.
These actions are customary.
Is this exclusive to prepaid?. I have a debit/credit card and have never dealt with this...to my knowledge.
What really makes sense is for them to charge the actual amount of purchase. They clear what they want in advance and adjust the amount when the purchase is complete. In fact link the pump to the purchase amount charged on the card.
Ir takes 5 minutes to pump gas and two weeks to rent a car for two weeks.
I have never had a prepaid card, so I can not say.
I do not know what you mean.
The point of my post was holds are customary, tried to use examples of holds.
Me either. That’s why I asked.
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