Debit cards and train tickets ........ What is going on?

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

Whether or no we should or should not buy tickets on trains is not the issue here. Sometimes in fgw land you have to and southern actually have a policy to sell on trains so long as you get to the tm before the rip gets to you. All fine.

I recently changed banks from barclays to nattiest but my bloody debit card is auto declined by the chp and pin.  Happens on all toc's I've tried - southern, fgw and south west.

My account is a natwest advantage gold and natwest have confirmed there is no restriction at all on my card. Should work anywhere - onlineor off.

So i knew that if a card number is entered into the system then it can be blocked if there has been an issue - so I ordered a brand spanking new one. Declined.

Toc's say it the bank, bank says no issue.  Itonically my barclays account which has no funds in it works (I xferred the money to cover test transaction).

I'm now getting to the point where I deliberately use said card. I get asked do I have an alternative means of payment and I insist no. I don't actually but it's ot my problem the card doesn't work.

Any ideas what's going on?

[Brucey]

Do you have the blue or purple Natwest card?

In my experience, some staff in Natwest get confused between the terms "Full Service" and "Full Auth" that appear on their system.

[super tm]

Defintely the banks problem.  The card must be marked as no offline transactions.

[Mookiemoo]

Do you have the blue or purple Natwest card?

In my experience, some staff in Natwest get confused between the terms "Full Service" and "Full Auth" that appear on their system.

Blue

But since I have a cheque guarantee and an overdraft I can't see any issue

[Mookiemoo]

Defintely the banks problem.  The card must be marked as no offline transactions.

But it has raised digits so can be done via the old swiper paper thing

[Brucey]

The blue card is the full auth card that won't allow offline transactions ... even though it has raised numbers.  You will need to speak to Natwest and ask to be upgraded to the card that allows offline transactions.

[super tm]

Defintely the banks problem.  The card must be marked as no offline transactions.

But it has raised digits so can be done via the old swiper paper thing

I am afraid this is a con on part of the banks.  They are getting rid of the old electron cards which were for online use only and replacing them with debit cards with raised numbers.  However they put markers on the new cards which only allow them to work for an on line transaction. 

[Mookiemoo]

Have spoken to natwest - looks like they gave me the wrong card and are issuing me with a new one!  in the mean time I'll continue to use the current one if I have to!

[super tm]

you cant use it as you know it does not work 

[Mookiemoo]

you cant use it as you know it does not work 

Since it's my only means of payment and they can phone up
And/or swipe it I
Bloody well can

[Btline]

Oh dear, why did you switch to NatFail Mookie? I had a higher opinion of you! They are a disgrace of a bank, especially as they're state owned.

Anyway, I thought you hadn't switched to Chip and Pin?

In the meantime, I'd suggest switching to a different, competent, bank.

_{I won't tell you about my NatWest woes - it would turn into a long Btline rant thread.}

[Mookiemoo]

Oh dear, why did you switch to NatFail Mookie? I had a higher opinion of you! They are a disgrace of a bank, especially as they're state owned.

Anyway, I thought you hadn't switched to Chip and Pin?

In the meantime, I'd suggest switching to a different, competent, bank.

_{I won't tell you about my NatWest woes - it would turn into a long Btline rant thread.}

Its connected to the separation from my ex and the financial settlement with the house screwing up my barclays account and the fact that nat west are the only branch open in portishead on saturdays!

My Amex is not chip and pin - never will be - but you have to have your bank debit card chip and pin to get money out of atm machine

However I've cut up all my credit cards so the nat west card is my only card!  Until Monday when I get the new business account up and running

[Btline]

Wow - you're lucky to have such a good branch. Despite what their adverts say, most NatWest branches are not open on Saturdays.

Just bear in mind that the "helpful" NatWest bank may cancel your card at any moment due to "suspicious behaviour".

*I was buying Scampi and Chips for about ^8 at Paddington station before coming home. My card was rejected, resulting in an embarrassing situation when I got the bill. Bear in mind that I had limited time before the train left. Luckily my credit card worked. Did I receive a phone call from NatWest (who have my mobile no for these reasons)? No, of course not - that would rely on a level of basic competence. After marching into the bank to get answers, I was told that it was suspicious behaviour. Let's just say they won't be doing it again! Leaving aside the fact that buying a cheap dinner for one at 6pm in my country's capital city is blatantly not suspicious (even if I lived in Scotland), as far as I'm aware they are meant to phone you BEFORE cancelling (I was told this by my NatWest bank manager). If I hadn't had a credit card I would have been screwed, and late home. What am I meant to do NatWest? Phone you up to ask whether I can fill up with ^40 petrol at Watford Gap, or must I only use petrol stations within 3m of my "home branch"?

*Watch out if you use iTunes. If you make 3 transactions, worth less than ^3 - they may cancel your card.

Oh dear, I've ranted... Anyway, best of luck with NatFail Mookie - you're going to need it!

[Tim]

Nat west used to be good.  Then they were taken over by a bunch of Scottish jokers and their service has deteriorated ever since.

[readytostart]

A friend of mine who works at a High Street bank which shall remain nameless suggested that certain cards need to be used 'online' - i.e. with a real time authorisation from the bank in between 'offline' transactions. Certainly seems to be the case with Thyron chip and pins on board. Passenger bought a ticket from me, transaction went through, went to buy staff off the trolley, card declined, same make of chip and pin but the ticket sale must have left an 'offline' marker on the card.