Problem with credit card

[babyfelix]

Hi

Just ordered all our theme park passes yesterday and our order with Dreams Unlimited has been declined by Universal TWICE. Theres no problem with credit as there was nothing outstanding on the card so now I'm worrying. spoken to the bank and they say its unusual activity on the account although I have taken it to the USA recently and have also settled accounts in $ before so I cant see why its unusual. Anyway, hoping Dreams will try the card for a third attempt and then at least I should know if its going to work when we get there in May.

 

[barbarah]

Banks are clamping down due to credit card fraudsters cloning UK cards and using overseas. As a result some card companies are stopping cards when they see overseas use.

My card was cloned along with many others according to our local paper in December by a Shell garage who were coping the credit card details (not PIN number).

I found out when I was trying to book flight with US carrier and card company kept refusing my card. Only way I got around it was to ask card company to allow specific amount and company to go through. Might be worth a try.

If you are going to book through an overseas site in future or go on holiday it might be worth informing the card company prior so that they can make a note.

 

[Lisa1976]

I had a similar problem with my halifax credit card.

I did inform them before I went on holiday that I would be going to Orlando and that I would be using it there.

Everything was fine whilst I was out there, nothing was stopped, although when I got home and tried to pay my DVC dues, it declined it. I rang the bank and they said it was unusual activity and I had explained to them that I would be using it. She told me that it was on a different system that I had informed them and that this system didn't tell them that. Not very helpful, but I suppose its better to be safe than sorry.

 

[babyfelix]

Dreams tried again and it worked . I will definately be letting the CC company know before we go. It would be terrible to get there and then find out we had a problem.
I was impressed that Dreams unlimited tried for a 3rd time, excellent service.

 

[Lisash]

I would definately recommend giving your card issuer a call with your travel dates. It proved very useful for us when our card got cloned in Orlando a couple of years ago. Luckily we had given our card company our dates. The thieves didn't start using the card till the day we were leaving (we think it was someone on our hotel staff) so it was quickly stopped before they had done to much 'damage' (about £150 in ther end) and we didn't have any hassle with the card company as we had given them our dates it was clear it wasn't us and was dealt with immediately

 

[daipp]

The very first time I went to Florida, my Egg card was declined for $9.00; I was so shocked.
I then phoned Egg, and sorted it out - no problem except that the phonecall to Egg cost me £7.00

I have ALWAYS remembered since to let my card companies know when I'm abroad.

David

 

[paulh]

before we go i contact car isuser and tell them the dates were in usa or abroad.They tell me this a great help
Paulh

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

i will make sure i let our card company know in future that we will be away.

this topic has remainded me of a time in venezuala our card was declined was such a hassled tryiing to get through to smile and cost a small fortune but got in sorted in the end, thankfully they gave us a very genorous exchange rate which made up for the ££ spent on the phone call!!!

Apperently since chip and pin came in over here, most card cloning in the UK is then sold to the states as they are less stringent on checks so seems CC companies are wising up to this and flagging up US trips. I know i would rather have the hassle of a phone call to the CC to allow the card to be used, than get home to find someone has spent up to my credit limit leaving me to sort out the mess.

 

[aaronandterri]

u know we ordered universal tix yesterday from dreams also, had to do them in 2 lots as they hads max of 6 at special rate and we needed 7 and only i lot went through even though they was on same card....wierd, had to re- submit card details earlier by link in email

Also the other week disneyshopping wouldnt take my card for some reason,and they normally do ?