21/10/14 we went for our regular dental check. Paying at reception by debit card, the receptionist, as usual, took my card, placed it in the reader (wireless type), typed in a reference, then handed it to me to enter my pin and validate the transaction. I handed it back to her and, for some reason, the transaction did not validate, so the whole process was repeated. I ended up with two receipts - one showing a void transaction and the second going through successfully.
27/10/14, checking my bank statement on line, I noticed that the "available balance" - that which is less than the gross balance by any pending payment - disagreed with my own budget records by the same figure as the dental payment. Phoning my bank, they confirmed the reason, and said that if this was not called in by 7 working days it would automatically cancel.
I pointed out that this was an unacceptable way for such card readers to work, and the voided transaction should have been instantaneous. This got a sympathetic response, but is apparently normal.
Fortunately, my account is healthy and the transaction a small one. But what about a person who has a tight budget and is hit like this with a significant sum involved? Such an event could place them temporarily 'in the red' - most likely resulting in bank charges due to the account having insufficient funds and, if they have on-going direct debits, bank charges could multiply. How many account holders are even aware of the possibility of this happening? Time for a system clean-up???
27/10/14, checking my bank statement on line, I noticed that the "available balance" - that which is less than the gross balance by any pending payment - disagreed with my own budget records by the same figure as the dental payment. Phoning my bank, they confirmed the reason, and said that if this was not called in by 7 working days it would automatically cancel.
I pointed out that this was an unacceptable way for such card readers to work, and the voided transaction should have been instantaneous. This got a sympathetic response, but is apparently normal.
Fortunately, my account is healthy and the transaction a small one. But what about a person who has a tight budget and is hit like this with a significant sum involved? Such an event could place them temporarily 'in the red' - most likely resulting in bank charges due to the account having insufficient funds and, if they have on-going direct debits, bank charges could multiply. How many account holders are even aware of the possibility of this happening? Time for a system clean-up???
