My credit card was de-activated because I paid for gas twice in one day

[Zodiak]

Just a heads-up to my fellow DUers. I went out of town to a conference in Indianapolis and because the trip was long, I got gas both before and after the trip.

The next day my credit card was denied.

I called the bank and they told me that Mastercard has deactivated my card because they have this new "anti-fraud" system where they flag your account and cancel it 24 hours after you buy gas a second time in a 24 hour period.

In order to prevent this, you have to call your bank and ask their permission to buy gas more than once.

I got no notice of this change in policy, and even though their policy states that they must call before de-activating the card, they did not.

Please DUers, before you go on any trip and plan to use your credit card for gas....call your bank first, or the second day of your trip will become unpleasant indeed.

What really burns my britches is that most fraudsters will drain a card to $0 far earlier than 24 hours after they get the information. These "protections" just seem like window dressing more designed to piss off customers and make them feel like they have to beg for their own money than any real protection from identity theft.

[Sabriel]

1. WTF? There are limits on how much you can buy?

I've never heard of that before.

[Zodiak]

4. They told me it was the number of TIMES you can buy

2 times and they de-activate your card.

Imagine being on a trip and suddenly you have no access to your own money! Needless tsay, I was mad, but the bank acted like it was no big deal.

So many Americans travel around the holidays and for their jobs.

They told me they implemented this policy (Mastercard) three months ago.

[woodsprite]

25. I've experienced that when we used our card in too many locations

We were driving from Delaware to North Carolina. We topped off the tank in DE, bought drinks in MD, gas before the Bay Bridge Tunnel and lunch in VA, topped off the tank again in NC. By the time we got to our campground, our card was declined because we had used it in too many locations in one day.

Now we're sure to call them before we go. However, I have real mixed feelings about that. I'd really rather not let someone know that we're going to be away from our house for 2 wks at a time.

[Zodiak]

26. That apparently is a risk you'll have to take to make the bank happy

So sad that consumers are strapped with all of the liabilities and few benefits.

[izquierdista]

44. Try doing it in Europe

Fixing a problem with an American card from across the Atlantic is pretty interesting. But at least Skype doesn't have a charge for toll-free calls.

[NYC_SKP]

2. I had a card cancelled this past summer at the worst possible time.

And I pay the damn thing twice a month as I use it for expenses.

But it wasn't very nice as I learned about it on the way to checking in to a hotel, with no other cards in my possession and lots of catering plans, etc., to pay for.

Capitol One.

I didn't leave them, but I had to make them overnight a new card and the time on the phone with these bastards was beyond frustrating.

[A HERETIC I AM]

3. Did you swipe the card at the pump?

I've had something similar happen with my debit card. If I swipe it at the pump, it will get deiclined and then I'll get a robo-call from the bank.

I'm just curious if it has anything to do with the way the communication with the bank is handled.

[Zodiak]

5. Yes, swiped at the pump.

I travel with food and drink, so no need to go inside.

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. Well, ever since that happened to me, I go inside and pay w/ the card at the register....

and I haven't had any problems.

It's odd, to be sure.

[Zodiak]

12. Well, it is a potential disaster for those caught unaware

When I go to conference, that credit card is the only thing between me and sleeping in my car (that I suddenly cannot afford to park or put gas in to get home).

[Motown_Johnny]

6. American Express????

I have had similar issues with that card, and only that card

[Zodiak]

Mastercard....from my Credit Union n/t

[RaleighNCDUer]

16. A real credit card, or a mastercard-backed credit union debit card? nt

[Zodiak]

22. Mastercard backed credit union debit card n/t

[regnaD kciN]

32. A debit card and a credit card are not the same thing...

This appears to be an "anti-fraud" policy of your specific credit union, and you need to take it up with them.

[Zodiak]

35. They told me they had no control over it...it was Mastercard

But then again customer service people, and even managers (both of whom I spoke with), will tell lies to get a POed customer off of the phone. Intellectual honesty is not a hallmark of our age.

[FarCenter]

37. And banks and credit unions are not the same thing

The OP is very misleading, since it used the words "bank" and "credit card", niether of which are accurate.

[Zodiak]

39. Sue me...sheesh

Mastercard is a credit card company, so I call it a credit card.

My credit union is basically my bank, so the use of the term, while not exact, is not intended to be misleading.

I also didn't start this thread for a debate about the nitty gritty of banking terms, but to warn people about this so it doesn't happen to them, so keep your accusations of being "misleading" to yourself, hotshot.

[FarCenter]

40. Mastercard calls itself a "payment card company"

[Maine-ah]

52. my debit card is backed by visa.

I can't pull more than $300 a day on it...doesn't matter if I have a million bucks (I wish btw) in my account.

[regnaD kciN]

34. Yes, AmEx is picky...

A couple of decades ago, I wanted to buy a new pair of loudspeakers. Since the model I wanted wasn't available in the Seattle area, I drove down to the nearest dealer in Portland, and paid with an AmEx card. Because I was making a major home purchase so far away, they required that I get on the phone at the dealership, and read off to them a number of restaurants I normally eat at, so that they could check them against my records, before they would approve the charge.

[jus_the_facts]

7. Gotta watch those carbon footprints there BIGFOOT. n/t

[Zodiak]

9. They tell me I have to go, I have to go

I am not about to do a 200 mile trip on a bike.

Planes put out WAY more pollution.

[jus_the_facts]

18. Not a stab at you personally...just a little jab at cap and trade. n/t

[Zodiak]

23. No prob...I thought that post might be missing the sarcasm smiley

But I responded as if it were serious just in case

[The Straight Story]

14. Like gore and obama do in all their traveling?

:rofl:

[jus_the_facts]

20. Yeah the....do as we say fuckers...not as we do!!! n/t

[The Straight Story]

36. Us little folks should not drive/etc, unless we can afford carbon offsets

The we too can fly all over, drive all we want, etc.

The rich - well they are better than us in many ways.

Now I have to go and feel some shame for driving to the store earlier....

[jus_the_facts]

41. They win ....I can't even afford to drive anymore...my 20yr.old car died.

:yoiks:

[Gman2]

10. I had it happen three times. Within a month. I threatened to do something legal

Now, if I get my account scammed, they will try to blame me for shutting down their stupid system. I have a car, and a motobike.

[Zodiak]

15. I had them remove my account from their "protection"

Like I said, I know enough about fraud to know that the people who do this thing drain way bigger cards than mine in mere minutes.

I'm just a poor post-doc. The most they'll get from me is a couple hundred bucks this time of month.

[Gman2]

17. I did the same, but try to get their help, understanding, when it really get hit!

[Zodiak]

21. Oh I knew I would get no understanding

They thought it was a perfectly sane policy, nevermind what embarrassment is caused me or potential financial straits it would put me in.

[Gman2]

55. They want a NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY relationship with cardholders.

The movie, where every purchase he makes he begs all wiseguylike, the card customer service chic. They'd like the option to say no, whenever, for whatever. Then, you are POWNED.

[greennina]

11. This has been a very common practise for many years...

because the most common way a theif tests to see if a card is still active is to do an auth at a pay at the pump gas station. Unfortuantely since banks are run by complete idiots, they've extended that smart form of anti-fraud to also cover buying gas.

Between me and my husband we usually get our Bank of America card disabled at least twice a month since we share a motorcycle. It isn't uncommon for us to fill-up several times a day since the motorcycle we share gets about 25 MPG and has a 1.75 gallon tank. Also, we do a lot of auths since the environmentally-friendly pumps with the nice sensor that detects that the vapor shield is fully engaged will not work on our motorcycle or a lot of motorcycles. If I'm in a new area, it isn't uncommon to have to try three or four stations before I can find one with older pumps that work with a motorcycle. Almost always, Bank of America will accuse me of being a thief and disable my card. They're too stupid to understand that people have motorcycles.

[Zodiak]

19. Yes, I know what the first attempts are

If they have a physical card.

But most fraud is done with information rather than a physical card. And they start out with internet purchases of small amounts to test the card. Then the number is released to the whole ring, and it is drained in a matter of minutes.

But my bank apparently started this 3 months ago and did not tell me. Nor did they call as their own policy states.

This makes me believe this is all about protecting them, and not me at all.

Think of all of the people who put gas in their car, and then put regular gas in a small tank for their lawnmower later on.

Stupid policy, as you say. They have cast too wide a net.

[RobinA]

31. I Had My Card Stopped

this way when it WAS stolen. Stole my card and immediately used it at three gas stations. They turned it off before I even got home and reported it.

On the other hand, and this wasn't a security issue, I got my card turned off once because I paid early. I called the guy up, who didn't seem to think it was a problem since I could just call and they'd look into it and reenstate my card. I'm asking him, What if I'm in Bombay when this happened? I just couldn't get it through his thick head that you can't be travelling and have a letter in your mail box at home telling you that your card is turned off when in actuality it is totally paid off. That card is cancelled. Chase. They did this to a friend of mine, too. Turned it off with no warning for some technicality that did NOT involve not paying up on time.

[ixion]

13. WTF is right! I've taken many multi-day road trips, which entailed re-fueling

two or three times a day. I've never experienced that problem.

I would cancel the card, if I were you.

[Zodiak]

24. I need that card

It is the only way I can get my money out of the credit union, which is in my home state. It's a debit card, really. My mother worked at that credit union until she retired, so there is some loyalty involved here.

I am not going into a bank from a credit union. I learned the difference years ago.

This was just incredibly annoying and potentially disastrous. DUers need to know this problem exists.

[revolution breeze]

27. Happened to us in 2006

When hubby retired from the Navy, our plan was a two week trek across the United States on our way back to Louisiana. That suddenly changed on a Friday evening when our realtor informed us our closing had been moved up to Monday and if we did not close, she had another buyer ready to step in. From eastern Washington to Louisiana in two and a half days with two vehicles. We were in Kansas when they put a "hold" on our card because of "suspicious" usage, putting $100 of gas in two vehicles around the clock. Thankfully, we had enough cash to make it through until the bank opened on Monday morning.

[Zodiak]

30. Wow...that was a travesty...glad you had $$$

When I go to conference, I try not to carry $$$ because while wearing a tie and looking like a tourist, I am a target for thieves.

[revolution breeze]

43. It was unusual

I never carry cash but my husband's aunt have given him cash for his retirement gift. I was meaning to deposit it but in all the last minute confusion of packers, movers, dealing with two realtors who were both "quirky", not to mention a husband who after 22 years suddenly does not have anywhere to go every morning, the deposit never got made.

[intheflow]

28. Like the policies that let you charge up to $20 w/o signing a slip.

Seriously, WTF? Do the banks understand how many $24.99 charges can be rung before someone stealing your card gets caught--or you notice? Meanwhile, take a vacation and they pull your card for buying gas twice. Banks are soooooooooo fucked up!

[Liberal In Texas]

29. Had the exact thing happen with a Chevron card.

Just before I went out of town, I filled up our 2 vehicles at the same place and bought something inside, also on the card. When I got back in town, presto...the card was shut off. No phone call and the letter saying why they had done it came long after I had it resolved it over the phone.

I don't understand why they can't call and ask if I made the purchases or if my card is missing rather than unilaterally shutting it off.

[Zodiak]

33. They told me it was policy to call me.

They did not, at least according to my caller ID. I do not have a cell phone.

If they would have called, they would have talked to my wife, who would have told them I'm on a trip getting lots of gas.

They didn't. Jerks.

[superconnected]

38. I'm upset becuase they just raised my limit without telling me. I thought 1 card at 2k limit for

emergencies only was safe. I only got it to establish credit to buy a house last year. Now that 2k card has a 6k limit that I don't want. I'm closing it because of that. No friggen way am I having 6k of credit sitting around for an emergency. Too many emergencys and always made it with cash. I'm mad they didn't even write met to let me know the limit was increased. I'm also really upset about all the offers sent to my old address that any new tenant can open and take them up on - as it will be sent to that address. That scares the heck out of me. But how can you stop them. I never liked offers. I did put in the change of address, it only lasted 6 weeks. They contact no one. I have to. I'm not psychic on who will send me offers. I just know I always got them and shredded them at that apartment.

[Dreamer Tatum]

58. So people are pissed when they cut limits, and now they're pissed when they raise limits

:crazy:

[superconnected]

61. It's unsolicited credit. Credit cards are very bad. There are

some out there at 55% interest per year now. I have no idea what rate this one is. I'm closing it though. It's the only one I have and I balked about opening it. I only did it to establish credit for my house loan which I could have never gotten if I actually had real credit card debt like the average American does. I liked that this one had a 2k ceiling. 6k pisses me off badly. Time to close it now. Being credit card free was always a wonderful feeling. I knew I was way ahead of everyone in my office because of it. I'm going right back to that.

[dysfunctional press]

42. amex cancelled our card over the summer-

we had never been late, never went over the limit, never missed a payment...
i had gotten the card thru costco, and it was also my costco id card, with my picture on the back.
i was checking out at costco, and the card was denied.
in the parking lot, i called to find out why- and they told me that they had 're-evaluated' us, and determined that they couldn't let us have an account...
So-
i told them that they were going to wait A LONG time before i would consider paying the $700 balance, as i had other bills that now had much more priority than a cancelled credit card account.
that was in june.
my wife's job went away in september(and i'm on permanent disability).
in late october, amex sent us a letter saying that if we paid off the balance, they would...wait for it...RE-INSTATE THE CARD!


so- in june, we were a bad risk. in october, a month after my wife LOST HER JOB(remember- i'm on permanent disability), they wanted to give us the card back. :crazy: :crazy:

they've still got a long while to wait for their money.(and no, i'm not concerned about it affecting my 'credit rating'.)

[Earth_First]

45. We always call before we embark on multi-destination travel to prevent this...

however; our visa and debit/atm cards are issued through our credit union. So when we call with our itnerary, they generally remember us and ask us how our last trip was...

[WhiteTara]

46. when we moved

we had 3 vehicles and every time we stopped we were filling 3 cars..every card screwed us in the same way, even after we called...the worst was Discover.

[MadHound]

47. Just one more reason to go to a cash only basis

Don't have to worry about being stranded by your credit card company in the middle of BFE.

[csziggy]

48. That could catch me sitting at the same pump!

During the highest prices on gas, most stations and/or credit cards had a $75 dollar limit, but with gas at nearly $4 a gallon, it took well over that amount to fill my truck's 40 gallon tank, so I would have to do it in two batches.

If we were hauling horses on a trip, it would not be unusual to have to fill the tank two or three times in a 24 hour period. A policy like this could leave us stranded on the road with no alternatives!

Thanks for the heads up.

[SoCalDem]

49. Before our trip to tahiti, I called Discover & Visa to tell them

not to panic if they saw sudden use on those nearly dormant cards.. They did not warn me beforehand, I just thought it was prudent..and was afraid a card might be denied because we so seldom used them..

It sucks to have to call "Mom" and ask permission to buy gas, though :grr:

[damntexdem]

50. Cancel any care issuer who does this.

'Anti-fraud' my ass!

[ChickMagic]

51. They may be protecting you in case it was stolen.

You may want to call them and tell them that you are out of town
(I sometimes call them before I leave to tell them I'm going).
It couldn't hurt. :hug:

[northernlights]

63. um, announcing to a total stranger that you'll be out of town

for a specific period of time absolutely can hurt.

Just because their headquarters are located far from you doesn't mean that their call center is...

[yodoobo]

53. Over the weekend I bought gas 3 times in one day on my amex

Long trip, small gas tank.

So far so good.

I don't believe this is widespread.

[montanto]

54. Been there, done that. One time my card got

de-activiated because someone was using it in Europe. Coincidentally I happened to be in Europe at the time. You have to call your credit card company if you are going to go farther than the grocery store or make more than one purchase a day.

[NNN0LHI]

56. Both of my cars needed to be filled up one day so I drove them to the station one at a time

When I got home the card issuer was on the phone confirming I had not lost my card and had just made the two gas purchases.

Don

[Dreamer Tatum]

57. Um, a credit card is not "your money," for starters

It's a completely unsecured loan that you take out on demand.

Next, whether you like it or not, this measure prevents fraud. In your case, my guess
would be that two gas transactions within a day are out of pattern for you, and your
transaction tripped the model.

The banks spend money on people who develop anti-fraud strategies, and they spend a mint
on anti-fraud infrastructure to protect cardholders. The technology is not perfect, just life
medical tests aren't perfect.

[Nay]

59. Huh. I recently had the opposite experience. Scammers got my card info and

ran all up and down the Eastern Seaboard, spending money in 10 states, and I only found out when I got the bill. You can imagine the thousands of dollars rung up. And all that time, I was also using the card in my home town for gas, etc., while thieves were using the card the SAME DAY for $700 haircuts 1500 miles away. Go figure.

[blues90]

60. My Bof A called me one morning asking if I took a trip

I said no , why , mwell we see three gas station debits in one day which is out of the norm and this was a debit card.

Turns out when you buy gas they station gets a $1 autherization then the next day or two the actual charge goes in.

Some how without my card someone got the number and was using it and charging $50 gas and cash each time. They did not have my pin and all the stations were the same union76 but not the same location so without the pin the stations had to be in on it because without the pin you need to sign . If I recall if you use the debit for less than $25 you can swipe it but they did not have my card. Total was $1600 and B of A refunded all of it to me.

[michreject]

62. I bought two pistols in Tennessee earlier this year

They were at two different gun shops. One was in Johnson City and the other one was in Greeneville. They both were approved with my credit card. About an hour later I got a call from the gun shop in Greeneville stating that my purchase had been denied. I had way more than enough available credit on the card. When I got home there was a letter for BoC explaining that they do this on out of state purchases to prevent fraud, in case it's a stolen card. Had I known this, I could have called the 1-800 number and had it approved on the spot.

I missed out on a reaally nice gun because of this. :(