Kobo purchase declined and now my bank has my card blocked [resolved]

lilbit1123 · 03-01-2015, 11:53 PM

Has anyone had this problem before? I used my debit card drawn off of First Community Bank and it was declined. I tried again. I even tried using the Paypal option and Visa checkout option. I have never used Kobo before but came across a coupon code that made a book I wanted to purchase about $10 cheaper than Amazon. I now cannot use my debit card to even make a balance inquiry at the ATM. I have been worried sick about this. My card worked fine last night around 7pm when shopping and I came home and tried to purchase this book around 10pm and now nothing. I am hoping someone else has had this problem and not just me. This is my only bank account. It is a weekend of course (doesn't all important things happen on weekends or holidays?) so I can't call them or visit but I do plan to be there tomorrow morning first thing to find out what has happened.

Ripplinger · 03-02-2015, 12:09 AM

Does your bank have an option to login online to check balances, etc? That's about all you can do until they open tomorrow and call them or go there. Even if Kobo declined a purchase, that wouldn't block using your card at an ATM. Unless some automated system thought the Kobo charge was way out of the ordinary for your usual routine and put a hold on it until they verify it with you. I've had that happen with credit card companies in the past (and one of those times it actually was someone fraudulently using my card, so I really can't complain about their diligence in being safe rather than sorry the few times they called to verify legit purchases I made).

Edit: After reading AnemicOak's post below, Kobo declining your card shouldn't block using your card elsewhere.

AnemicOak · 03-02-2015, 12:19 AM

I know Blossom had problems with it awhile back. She was using a pre-paid CC IIRC and ended up having the entire account trashed due to Kobo/WorldPay issues.

cromag · 03-02-2015, 12:21 AM

Check your card or your statement. Every card issuer I know of has a 24 hour hotline to call if you suspect fraud. It's not exactly what you're experiencing, but it should get you in touch with a human being who can check your account.

Good luck!

lilbit1123 · 03-02-2015, 12:32 AM

There is no one to call after hours. The bank is horrible. I can log in online and check balances but nothing will go through on the card. It has been on my to do list to close this account and move banks. I guess this will push me to do it now.

Ripplinger · 03-02-2015, 12:56 AM

That's not unusual for debit cards, to not have 24-hour service. You might want to find out what happened first before laying blame on the bank.

Lynx-lynx · 03-02-2015, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilbit1123

Has anyone had this problem before? I used my debit card drawn off of First Community Bank and it was declined. I tried again. I even tried using the Paypal option and Visa checkout option. I have never used Kobo before but came across a coupon code that made a book I wanted to purchase about $10 cheaper than Amazon. I now cannot use my debit card to even make a balance inquiry at the ATM. I have been worried sick about this. My card worked fine last night around 7pm when shopping and I came home and tried to purchase this book around 10pm and now nothing. I am hoping someone else has had this problem and not just me. This is my only bank account. It is a weekend of course (doesn't all important things happen on weekends or holidays?) so I can't call them or visit but I do plan to be there tomorrow morning first thing to find out what has happened.

I'm wondering if you got this the wrong way round - the reason Kobo and Paypal couldn't action your card was because it had already been flagged by your bank after the 7pm purchase.

It sounds like that purchase may have been the trigger.

Blossom · 03-02-2015, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I know Blossom had problems with it awhile back. She was using a pre-paid CC IIRC and ended up having the entire account trashed due to Kobo/WorldPay issues.

Yep I lost all the money on that card they would not refund it. Accused me of fraudulent activities.

I will not use a Credit Card at Kobo. I use PayPal only and never travel.

You should be able to call the number on the back of your card 24/7 to find out what happened.

I don't know if Kobo still uses WorldPay I haven't bought a book in a very long time from them. I recommend using PayPal if you have that to pay with instead.

HarryT · 03-02-2015, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I don't know if Kobo still uses WorldPay I haven't bought a book in a very long time from them. I recommend using PayPal if you have that to pay with instead.

I use WorldPay to process payments in my own software business and have done so for many years. Never had a problem with them.

Blossom · 03-02-2015, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I use WorldPay to process payments in my own software business and have done so for many years. Never had a problem with them.

At the time Kobo used them they may still and they reported my card as fraudulent. I lost my card and the card company wouldn't even let me try to explain and were quite mean to me. I avoid WorldPay at all cost now.

HarryT · 03-02-2015, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

At the time Kobo used them they may still and they reported my card as fraudulent. I lost my card and the card company wouldn't even let me try to explain and were quite mean to me. I avoid WorldPay at all cost now.

WorldPay get their information from the card issuer. Sounds as if that's where the root cause lay. Sorry to hear that you lost money on it. Is there no "financial ombudsman" service in the US that you could take your complaint to?

Blossom · 03-02-2015, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

WorldPay get their information from the card issuer. Sounds as if that's where the root cause lay. Sorry to hear that you lost money on it. Is there no "financial ombudsman" service in the US that you could take your complaint to?

No it's all in the terms and conditions when I sign up for the card. It was over a year ago I think. I now have a new card that works with my PayPal account with a different company and their customer service is great and my monthly fee is only $2 more than the old card.

I remember the card company made me feel like I was some horrible criminal and was really mean. It was a horrible experience. I wasn't the only one WorldPay/Kobo did this too there was others on here at the same time. There use to be a couple threads on it. The only difference is their card company listen to them and reopen the card mine was just downright nasty and refused.

HarryT · 03-02-2015, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

No it's all in the terms and conditions when I sign up for the card. It was over a year ago I think. I now have a new card that works with my PayPal account with a different company and their customer service is great and my monthly fee is only $2 more than the old card.

I remember the card company made me feel like I was some horrible criminal and was really mean. It was a horrible experience. I wasn't the only one WorldPay/Kobo did this too there was others on here at the same time. There use to be a couple threads on it. The only difference is their card company listen to them and reopen the card mine was just downright nasty and refused.

Glad to hear that you've got a card you're happy with now.

Having been through several different card processing services in the past, the reason I'm happy with WorldPay as a merchant is precisely the reason you mention - that they provide great customer service in the event of problems arising. I'm sorry to hear that they aren't so accommodating when it comes to consumers.

lilbit1123 · 03-02-2015, 12:31 PM

It was the kobo purchase that flagged my debit card. All is fixed now but they said because it was a Canada purchase it was flagged as fraudulent so they shut my whole card down for my protection. I just wanted to post the follow up in case someone has this problem in the future. Thanks everyone!

HarryT · 03-02-2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilbit1123

It was the kobo purchase that flagged my debit card. All is fixed now but they said because it was a Canada purchase it was flagged as fraudulent so they shut my whole card down for my protection. I just wanted to post the follow up in case someone has this problem in the future. Thanks everyone!

Yep - unexpected foreign purchases will often do that. Good to hear that you've got it resolved.

03-01-2015, 11:53 PM	#1
lilbit1123 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: none	Kobo purchase declined and now my bank has my card blocked [resolved] Has anyone had this problem before? I used my debit card drawn off of First Community Bank and it was declined. I tried again. I even tried using the Paypal option and Visa checkout option. I have never used Kobo before but came across a coupon code that made a book I wanted to purchase about $10 cheaper than Amazon. I now cannot use my debit card to even make a balance inquiry at the ATM. I have been worried sick about this. My card worked fine last night around 7pm when shopping and I came home and tried to purchase this book around 10pm and now nothing. I am hoping someone else has had this problem and not just me. This is my only bank account. It is a weekend of course (doesn't all important things happen on weekends or holidays?) so I can't call them or visit but I do plan to be there tomorrow morning first thing to find out what has happened.

03-02-2015, 12:09 AM	#2
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,587 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	Does your bank have an option to login online to check balances, etc? That's about all you can do until they open tomorrow and call them or go there. Even if Kobo declined a purchase, that wouldn't block using your card at an ATM. Unless some automated system thought the Kobo charge was way out of the ordinary for your usual routine and put a hold on it until they verify it with you. I've had that happen with credit card companies in the past (and one of those times it actually was someone fraudulently using my card, so I really can't complain about their diligence in being safe rather than sorry the few times they called to verify legit purchases I made). Edit: After reading AnemicOak's post below, Kobo declining your card shouldn't block using your card elsewhere. Last edited by Ripplinger; 03-02-2015 at 12:32 AM.

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03-02-2015, 12:19 AM	#3
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I know Blossom had problems with it awhile back. She was using a pre-paid CC IIRC and ended up having the entire account trashed due to Kobo/WorldPay issues.

03-02-2015, 12:21 AM	#4
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,739 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	Check your card or your statement. Every card issuer I know of has a 24 hour hotline to call if you suspect fraud. It's not exactly what you're experiencing, but it should get you in touch with a human being who can check your account. Good luck!

03-02-2015, 12:32 AM	#5
lilbit1123 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: none	There is no one to call after hours. The bank is horrible. I can log in online and check balances but nothing will go through on the card. It has been on my to do list to close this account and move banks. I guess this will push me to do it now.

03-02-2015, 12:56 AM	#6
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,587 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	That's not unusual for debit cards, to not have 24-hour service. You might want to find out what happened first before laying blame on the bank.

03-02-2015, 12:31 PM	#14
lilbit1123 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2015 Device: none	It was the kobo purchase that flagged my debit card. All is fixed now but they said because it was a Canada purchase it was flagged as fraudulent so they shut my whole card down for my protection. I just wanted to post the follow up in case someone has this problem in the future. Thanks everyone!