Raise.com Flagged as Fraud?

[mmackeymouse]

I'm about at my wit's end with my bank. For the last 12 hours, I have been attempting to make a Raise.com purchase, in the amount of appx. $1,800. My check card kept declining.

So, first thing this morning, I contact my bank, thinking it will be a simple, "Okay sorry about that, go forth and enjoy" type of thing. Nope. They initially tell me the purchase is alerting fraud protection services, and they will remove the fraud detection temporarily.

Still doesn't work. So, then they tell me that because of this specific website, and the fact that it is a large purchase, fraud protection won't let them lift it, and it will continue to decline the purchase.

So, let me get this straight: despite having more than enough cash in my account to cover said purchase, and it being below my daily limit of $2,500,I still can't make the purchase? Despite me telling you, "This is me. It's not a fraudulent charge. Yes, I am attempting to make a purchase there. Yes, for that amount," I am still not allowed to make the purchase? Nope, use another method of payment they say. (Which I can't)

I could scream. Or cry. I tried to make a smaller transaction, around $900, and it was still declined. Has anyone had this much trouble with Raise.com/their bank?

 

[SUSIEQ]

No advice on dealing with your bank. But, can you just charge the purchase to a credit card that offers rewards to make the deal even sweeter?

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Using a debit card is probably a bad idea. If there are any problems with the gift cards that you purchase through Raise.com (which is definitely possible, if not likely) then you have little recourse through a debit card. Credit cards have more protection and you can file a dispute with your credit card company if you get a card with a $0 balance and Raise gives you trouble about it. I wouldn't use your debit card on these gift card resale sites ever.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I just wanted to point out that the title of your thread is misleading. It insinuates that Raise.com has committed fraud. Maybe: Trouble using debit card on Raise.com ?

And to reply to your original post, I agree with others that you should use a credit card. Much safer.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Thanks for all your comments. Changed the title.

Believe it or not, I only have one credit card, unless you count Kohls. My Redcard is attached to my checking account as well, so really I only have one actual credit card. And, with it being Christmas season, well...let's just say it has been well loved, so there just isn't a whole lot of room for usage at this point.

I totally agree....I should use my credit card for those things. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise. But, I guess I am just looking at the overall big picture. Sometimes, you have to make massive purchases, and if the money is in the account, you should be able to use it.

Side note: Raise is currently at around 6%....hold out or good deal?

 

[disneychrista]

I totally agree....I should use my credit card for those things. Maybe this was a blessing in disguise. But, I guess I am just looking at the overall big picture. Sometimes, you have to make massive purchases, and if the money is in the account, you should be able to use it.

?

Just an idea. You say you have the cash, why not pay down the credit card to make room for this purchase?

Looks like quoted the wrong part of your post.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

6% isn't terrible, but it has been higher in the past and it is 4% less than Target had just last Sunday when they offered 10% off gift cards up to $300. Too bad you didn't get in on that deal.

And I think it was a blessing in disguise. Pay off some of that credit card, then use it to buy your Target gift cards or if you have some time before your trip, I would just wait until you can comfortably cover the cost.

 

[usnuzuloose]

My bank has done this just about every purchase I made online, they finally called it fraud. I am so close to going to another bank. And I was making small purchases like from Petco and another store can't remember which one. I give up buying online except for ebay and somethings on amazon.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Just an idea. You say you have the cash, why not pay down the credit card to make room for this purchase?

Looks like quoted the wrong part of your post.

A couple things: I was told at one point that paying off your credit card multiple times within a statement period can flag your credit card, lead to lower credit limit, etc etc. The only reason I hadn't paid it off by now, was because I had already paid it off less than a week ago. Plus, even if I were to go ahead and pay off the account, it would still probably be a day or longer before I'd be able to use it. But...it may be my only option.

6% isn't terrible, but it has been higher in the past and it is 4% less than Target had just last Sunday when they offered 10% off gift cards up to $300. Too bad you didn't get in on that deal.

And I think it was a blessing in disguise. Pay off some of that credit card, then use it to buy your Target gift cards or if you have some time before your trip, I would just wait until you can comfortably cover the cost.

I actually did get in on that deal! Haha. But...I realized I'd like to get some more for incidentals and what not.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

A couple things: I was told at one point that paying off your credit card multiple times within a statement period can flag your credit card, lead to lower credit limit, etc etc.

This definitely is not true. Paying multiple times in a single billing period will not have a negative effect on your credit score. There may be some restrictions by credit card companies as to how often you can apply a payment, such as every 3 days, but these restrictions are to limit accidental duplicate payments. If anything, lowering your credit care utilization ratio by paying down your balance more often should actually benefit your score, not lower it.

 

[Marionnette]

This definitely is not true. Paying multiple times in a single billing period will not have a negative effect on your credit score. There may be some restrictions by credit card companies as to how often you can apply a payment, such as every 3 days, but these restrictions are to limit accidental duplicate payments. If anything, lowering your credit care utilization ratio by paying down your balance more often should actually benefit your score, not lower it.

You're correct that paying multiple times on your balance will not lower your credit score, nor should it alter your credit limit. However, I recall a post from several months back where the OP had paid on their CC balance (but didn't pay it off completely) and used their vacation money to do it. The goal was to turn around and put their vacation on the card at 0% interest (and get the rewards points, too!), but Chase lowered their credit limit on the card as soon as the money was paid. This put the OP of that thread back at having the card maxed out and no money in their savings to pay for their vacation. So while I agree that paying the CC down is a good idea, I just want to point out that the OP of this thread does have legitimate concerns.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-visa-infuriating.3376802/

 

[mmackeymouse]

This definitely is not true. Paying multiple times in a single billing period will not have a negative effect on your credit score. There may be some restrictions by credit card companies as to how often you can apply a payment, such as every 3 days, but these restrictions are to limit accidental duplicate payments. If anything, lowering your credit care utilization ratio by paying down your balance more often should actually benefit your score, not lower it.

I will relay my experience. On a previous credit card, for no reason...there was never any overages, payments were made on time, etc...my credit limit was lowered significantly, from $2500 to $500. Upon further research, this seemed to be not an UNcommon thing, so I never really pursued it further with the credit card company...just figured, "It is what it is."

So, at that point, I basically charged and paid off on a weekly basis. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Fast forward to last year when my card was out of nowhere, cancelled. All my points- gone. This time, I did contact my CC company, and their response was that the cancellation was due to "the pattern of my credit card usage."

I spoke to an accountant and attorney about what, if anything, could be done. They said basically, what it came down to is....credit card companies, especially the ones that do points and mileage and fuel and stuff like that, profit margins are razor thin. That is more than likely why my, and other people's, credit limit was lowered in the first place. So, instead of earning points on $X like the CC company wanted me to, I was earning points on $4X. And, bam, credit card and points gone.

Anyway, that's why I am so hesitant now. I don't want my credit limit to take a nose drive, or lose my credit card altogether. Just trying to play by the rules that the CC companies have going on in their heads but which are NOT spelled out in any Cardmembers Agreement.