STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
stylethread site home page -> stylethread forum -> general chat -> I am afraid to use my bank card ever again!
Post Info TOPIC: I am afraid to use my bank card ever again!
Andrea Julia


Coach

Status: Offline
Posts: 1811
Date:
I am afraid to use my bank card ever again!
Permalink Closed

I went online to reconcile my bank account last night and realized that I didn't have enough money in there to cover my outstanding bills.  That seemed really weird to me because I knew I had enough plus some spending money.


So I looked through my charges and found that 800 contacts had a pending debit out for twice the amount I spent.  And Houlihans had a pending debit for $50 when I had only spent $6.  Apparently, in both cases this is now their policy.  Houlihans did $50 because I was sitting at the bar and I guess they approve you for $50 in case you run a tab, which I didn't.  800contacts claims they have always done that.  Why in the world would 800contacts need to approve me for twice the amount I spent? 


In case you are unaware, a pending debit is when they are holding the funds in your bank account until the actual charge comes through.  The hold is taken off the account in a few days, but it prohibits you from spending the money until it's gone.


I know restaurants have always done that thing where they approve you for the amount of the bill plus 20% in case you decide to leave a tip on the card.  That is fine.  I have no problem when a few dollars are being held up in my account, but in this case $120 in money I didn't spend was being held in my bank account. 


That was just scary to me because if I didn't look at my balance last night, my student loan payment would have bounced because it came through this morning.  Fortunately, I did check it and was able to run to the ATM and deposit some money to cover it.



__________________
killa


Dooney & Bourke

Status: Offline
Posts: 988
Date:
Permalink Closed

Wow, I have never heard of that before.
Maybe it has happened to me, but I didn't notice.



__________________
Christine


Coach

Status: Offline
Posts: 1796
Date:
Permalink Closed

AJ, I hear you. This happens to me all the time and it's SO annoying. I am constantly running calculations and checking my account online because now I'm paranoid; this also happens to my boyfriend and my friends. It's almost tempting for me to just start using cash, which I never carry, but this might change my mind!

__________________
kenzie


Chanel

Status: Offline
Posts: 4919
Date:
Permalink Closed

I've heard of this before.  I think it's crap. There is no need to hold twice the amount of the money you spent. Holding the amount is fine (obviously, duh!), but anymore than that when it was not authorized by me is ridiculous! It's my money and I should have complete control over it.

__________________
Andrea Julia


Coach

Status: Offline
Posts: 1811
Date:
Permalink Closed

Christine wrote:


AJ, I hear you. This happens to me all the time and it's SO annoying. I am constantly running calculations and checking my account online because now I'm paranoid; this also happens to my boyfriend and my friends. It's almost tempting for me to just start using cash, which I never carry, but this might change my mind!


Does this just seem to be recently with you?  I have been using my bank card for 7 years now and this kind of stuff seems to have started about 6 months ago.  I mean, the restaurant thing where they approve you for 20% over the bill has always happened and makes enough sense to me, but it is only recently that these crazy pending debits for way more than I spent started happening.  It happened around the time my bank merged with another bank, but I don't know if that is related. 


A couple months ago, I had a separate check at Ruby Tuesday so I could pay with a debit card and they approved me for the amount of my check and then the amount of the other check, which was for 6 people!  I had to have my bank and Ruby Tuesday talk on the phone to get it immediately removed! 


I guess from now on, if I don't have cash, I will charge it and then pay it online when I get home.  I don't keep very much in my checking account.  I only buy stuff 2 days a month (the 2 days I get paid).  On pay day, I pay all my bills and buy everything I need or wanted for that half of the month that same day or the day following.  So, the little money left in there is just for stuff like going out to eat and gas and small things that come up.




-- Edited by Andrea Julia at 11:51, 2005-07-18

__________________
Christine


Coach

Status: Offline
Posts: 1796
Date:
Permalink Closed

You know, now that you mention it, I know that this hasn't been happening for too long -- it probably started about 8-10 months ago. I wonder if this would still happen if I switched banks. I hate how they make my money unavailable. That's ridiculous about Ruby Tuesday's.....basically, it's just one more thing to worry about.

__________________
bex


Chanel

Status: Offline
Posts: 3194
Date:
Permalink Closed

i have noticed this happenening as well. i mostly use cash (i give myself an "allowance" each week for personal things) or my CC (b/c when i am eating out- it is usually for work) but i have noticed it holding more on occasions.

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
stylethread site home page -> stylethread forum -> general chat -> I am afraid to use my bank card ever again!
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard