HWV is going off on one - again.

Banks.

How can my bank justify charging me for purchasing forex (from someone other than them) using my debit card?

They don't charge me for making cash withdrawals (up to and above the amount spent on forex) on the same card.

They don't charge me for purchasing other goods and services (up to and above the amount spent on forex) using the same card.

They don't charge me for purchasing forex from them using the same card.

It is not as if they provide any extra services on such a transaction.

And they add this charge on, with no notice, after I have been through all the "security authorisation" procedure.

BLOODY CHEEK.

Sometimes I wonder whether they have forgotten whose money it actually is.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Change banks?

Write to them and complain, and threaten to change banks - provided you're prepared to follow through if they call your bluff.

Companies like this (and there are many) rely on the fact that most people won't go through the self-imposed hassle of changing service provider/goods-supplier etc...

Teach them a lesson and, if enough of us start doing this, they'll change their ways...

Or perhaps not!

I have to say though, that is indeed a Bloody Cheak.

[mitchja]

There's really no point though in changing banks. After all, they're all as bad as each other and quite frankly, I doubt very much they could care less if they lost a customer. You are only an account number at the end of the day with any bank.

You can avoid nasty charges like that though. I think it's something that came about when most of the banks changed people's debit cards from Maestro to Visa Debit? IIRC Natwest charge and a few ohers charge but I know that my own bank HSBC don't...

Yes, I get hit by this once. Checked with the bank and never understood the reason for this.

Once bitten........

I take the point about being a small fish in a very big pond, and I don't doubt they can point you to the precise micro-dot in the midst of the small print on the leaflet they sent you advising of changes to your terms and conditions...

I do feel though, taking some sort of action aswages my own anger, even if it doesn't hit anyone's botoom line.....

Then again, you could just get sympathy from fellow V-Flyers and pour another glass of Chablis

Then again, you could just get sympathy from fellow V-Flyers and pour another glass of Chablis

Mrs HWV is dropping a valium or two into the glass at this very moment ...

Banks really have no shame and will try anything and everything to take our money. You need a relaxing holiday - just be careful which card you take!

it's something that came about when most of the banks changed people's debit cards from Maestro to Visa Debit?

Indeed so, NatWest. Maestro was free on such transactions. Although such terms exist under Visa I shall write asking them to justify the charge. It seems very much along the lines of "we will pinch some of your money if you dare to purchase some forex from someone other than us"

Then again, you could just get sympathy from fellow V-Flyers and pour another glass of Chablis

Mrs HWV is dropping a valium or two into the glass at this very moment ...

Villa Maria Rose, very yummy, no valium necessary.

Banks really have no shame and will try anything and everything to take our money.

As always, your Dameness, spot on.

As I said above "no notice" of the charge during the transaction and if I hadn't had a look at my bank statement I wouldn't have known. That strikes me a bit like a supplier altering a charge account bill after it has been signed for.

Then again, you could just get sympathy from fellow V-Flyers and pour another glass of Chablis

Mrs HWV is dropping a valium or two into the glass at this very moment ...

Villa Maria Rose, very yummy, no valium necessary.

er what do you think makes it taste so yummy ...

No idea Tonty but I do feel quite tired.

HSBC Don't charge that fee. I haven't been charged in the past.