Credit Card Refused. Why?

[ladybirder]

I used my Barclays CC over the phone this morning to make a purchase from Pets at Home, all OK. Then I went to a garage to fill up with petrol and attempted to use the same card to pay. At first I tapped my card on the paying device but it was refused. So I was then asked to put it into the slot but it was immediately declined. We tried both methods again and all declined. So embarrassing! I only had the one card with me so I went back home again to get another card and phoned Barclay Card. At first they confirmed all was well and when I insisted it wasn't and relayed what had happened I was told, "It looks like the wrong PIN has been used 3 times so we've blocked your card. Go online or check the app for a PIN reminder then reactivate your card at the ATM".
I never got as far as using my PIN because my card was declined before we got that far. When I said this I got a metaphoric shrug of the shoulders. I don't need to check for a PIN reminder I know my PIN.
Has anybody got any idea how this has happened because I'd love to know so I can make sure it doesn't happen again. It's put me in a right bad mood. Grrr!

[Jackdaw33]

If you try it in an ATM and it spits it out then the chip is faulty and you need a new card.

[Hopkirk]

I too doubt it is anything to do with your card, and is caused by a hiccup with the garage's card reader connection.

[Jackdaw33]

Only way to check is to try the card elsewhere.

[ladybirder]

I will do that Jackdaw but not today.
Just had another thought. I use this card on all my online accounts and have got a Waitrose order in for this weekend. I suppose that it will get refused on there then??

[dannyk13]

You won't know until you try it.

[lankeela]

I wen through a stage of my bank refusing payments when I used my debit card despite being money in the account. Each time I rang them and they said it was their fraud department stopping payment because they thought my account was being used fraudulently - turns out it was because I had made payments to a payday loan company after payday. They said there was no way they could stop this happening but if I rang them they would authorise payments. Very embarrassing and on one occasion I had to ring a friend and get them to pay over the phone for me.

[bookbinder]

Make sure that you insert your card into the reader the right way round.

[gingejbee]

Personally, I'd request a replacement card...and keep it in a holder so it can't get scratched/damaged. I'd never keep a card loose in my pocket - too easy to lose and get damaged.

[Jackdaw33]

The problem is that when a card is declined everyone in earshot will assume you have no funds left. This may be true in a lot of cases but by no means all. It can be very embarrassing.

[ladybirder]

Ginge maybe I've been lucky because I've been doing it for at least 20 years. If I take a bag out with me I will put everything in it but most of the time a credit card or debit card will be in my coat pocket with house and car keys plus phone and anything else. I like this card because it's a Cashback and I make money on it every year as I clear the balance every month.
Jack yes and I went back and embarrassed myself for a second time!!! The till staff were very good, checked my card and couldn't see anything wrong with it.

[Togo]

Ask the bank for a replacement card Lady. "She who must be obeyed" had trouble aplenty with a card during the last 6 months. It was OK with contactless or online but every time it was presented using the store reader machine with pin for amounts over the contactless limit we held our breath. It was frequently declined and sometimes wouldn't even work in the swipe machines that stores have. For some reason it always happened with the M&S tills in Llandudno. It didn't bother me much but "she" used to be mortified despite knowing that it was covered a hundred times in her current account. She rang the bank(she worked there for 30 years previously) and had the damned card replaced. The new card is no problem, not even in M&S where it all began.

[Jackdaw33]

Yes, a replacement card is the simplest solution.

[Togo]

Not necessarily an effort free solution though Jackdaw. With the new card comes the faff of changing card details for all online accounts. We have to do that periodically of course when a card expires, but this is like asking for a bit more work. A good time though to update details and such or even change a password that is a bit weak or basic.

[ladybirder]

Thank you boys;-) I'll make that decision after I've been to an ATM and if I don't get it sorted there then I'll get a new one. I just hope they will give me like for like if I do, ie another Cashback card. I have another credit card in the meantime should I need one. I've just changed the card on my Waitrose order for Sunday, just to be safe.

[ladybirder]

I'm sure you are all waiting with bated breath to know how I got on with my credit card problem today. Well I went to the ATM, put my PIN in and it was accepted. So I took it out again and went back home. You can all relax now;-)) XX

[Jackdaw33]

Result!

[emmie]

good stuff, did you try and pay for goods with it too...

[ladybirder]

No Em, didn't need anything. But I did check on line when I got home and all's well on my Barclays account.

[Prudie]

Glad you are sorted LB, makes me even more sure that my suggestion was the the correct one:-)

[emmie]

that's good.