(no subject)

[ksmith]

Got cash from hotel ATM upon arrival on Wednesday. No worries.

Tried to use my bank card to buy the bedding at Lands End yesterday. The charge would not go through. That has happened before--this card is touchy, for whatever reason. I figured I would take some money out of the ATM at some point to make sure eveything was OK, and go from there.

Checked balance via ATM this morning on the way out to the Farmers Market. I had money, which I knew. Tried to get some of it. No go.

So I go back up to the room, slightly upset. Phone bank. Turns out I should have told them I was going out of town--they put a lock on the card as soon as the first ATM charge went through.

OK. Unlocked card. No worries, except I checked the account as I was talking to the bank person, and found a point of service charge for an amount I did not recognize. A vendor I did not recognize. Ran a search. Hey, a UK clothing store. But I am not in the UK.

So. I had the bank cancel this card. I will need to file a police report, yadda yadda to get the money refunded. The hotel cashed a check for me, nice folks. I could have used the ATM--the bank rep wanted to give me time to get cash before she canceled the card--but I wanted the card canceled RIGHT THEN, so canceled it was.

Went to Farmers Market. I did buy some things--see previous rock--but my heart wasn't in it. Back at hotel now. Will work for a little while. Then comes my last panel. Then more work. Dinner at some point.

This sort of holiday excitement I could do without.

Comments

[seachanges.livejournal.com]

Turns out I should have told them I was going out of town--they put a lock on the card as soon as the first ATM charge went through.

Nod. That happened to me the first time I went on one of my road trips. I called and straightened matters out. Now they know my travel habits well enough not to do that.

Glad you caught the UK charge. Hope the rest of the con goes well.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

This is the first time they have put a lock on this card--I used it in other cities last year. Must have been a recent policy change. Bet I didn't read the memo.

Glad you caught the UK charge. Hope the rest of the con goes well.

Thanks. So do I.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

It's a nightmare when that happens. We get it with customers and it's always embarrassing and upsetting (and always the bank's fault, too).

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

It is embarrassing, but at first I wasn't overly concerned because it has happened at my local stores as well, even when I haven't exceeded the 24-hour limit amount. It's happened to other folks with accounts at this bank. It's just touchy.

[mcurry.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that the lock resulted in you spotting the fraudulent charge from the UK, but wow, locking the card because you've traveled only as far as Madison seems kinda of steep.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Someone I spoke with at the con wondered if the lock was put on because of the UK charge, and the bank rep misattributed it to the Madison charge. Either way, I'm glad it's been thwarted, but not looking forward to the hassle of getting the refund, etc...

[e-moon60.livejournal.com]

Well, SNARL. Of course you're upset. Stuff going wrong with our money and our credit just plain stinks.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I know it's wrong to wish ill on people. Just let the bad karma find its own.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

:-( Now that just sucks.