Unknown Transaction on Credit Card Linked to MDE

[DeterminedOne]

Received an email alert from credit card company about a zero dollar transaction by WDW on the credit card linked to our MDE account. It's a bit worrisome, but husband thought maybe they scanned it to make sure it's valid. The only reason we have cc# on file was to reserve dining. Again, no dollar amount was charged, but it's still concerning. Anyone else experience this/know what's going on?

 

[Janet-TX]

I think your husband is correct. They are making sure the credit card you provided is valid.

 

[drosenbe0813]

you do have to be diligent. We went to the AMC Disney Springs theaters one trip, and then to the cupcake shop after. We paid for tickets/snack with our Disney card in the theater. While at the cupcake shop, I got an alert on my phone, and there was a fraudulent charge from the AMC, while we were in watching the movie!

It was difficult to explain to the card rep that one set of charges was valid, but the other wasn't, but they eventually got it (we had to get new cards shipped to us the next day).

 

[supersnoop]

Yes, Disney processes a $0 authorization to make sure the card is valid. Some banks, and particularly debit cards, recognize this as a fraudulent attempt to access the account. If the bank refuses the authorization and shuts down the card, you won't be able to make dining reservations. This has stopped several people at 180 days and messed up their plans.

 

[Tomh]

That is a good piece of information to know. I wonder if it would be possible to contact the CC company ahead of time, and tell them that a $0 authorization from Disney is imminent, and not fraudulent.

 

[Mike2023]

Ya, it happens to me all the time when booking on the website. I get a notification every time something is charged to my Amex. If I recall though they would do a $1 hold when I made an ADR and that hold would never end up being a charge.

 

[JustKryssi]

Yes, Disney processes a $0 authorization to make sure the card is valid. Some banks, and particularly debit cards, recognize this as a fraudulent attempt to access the account. If the bank refuses the authorization and shuts down the card, you won't be able to make dining reservations. This has stopped several people at 180 days and messed up their plans.

This. A few years back, our bank debit card shut down because of the multiple $0 charges and even after I called the bank, they would not allow them. This was one of the deciding factors for me getting a Disney Visa. No chance of that happening anymore!

 

[bryanb]

Banks are getting better at detecting what is a fraudulent charge and what is "unusual activity" for any given person. Since I use my credit card for almost everything, the algorithms are getting used to these token authorizations from iTunes, Netflix, Disney, etc. and I've started getting fewer fraud alerts.

 

[goofyernmost]

Ya, it happens to me all the time when booking on the website. I get a notification every time something is charged to my Amex. If I recall though they would do a $1 hold when I made an ADR and that hold would never end up being a charge.

All the time with gasoline purchases. They sent through a $1.00 charge and the next day it changes to the correct amount. Restaurants always come through with the pre-tip total one day, adjusted the next. I guess it makes sense that they see if it is valid before you have left the building.

 

[DeterminedOne]

All the time with gasoline purchases. They sent through a $1.00 charge and the next day it changes to the correct amount. Restaurants always come through with the pre-tip total one day, adjusted the next. I guess it makes sense that they see if it is valid before you have left the building.

Thanks, all. I have never experienced this -- and I use a debit card for 95% of my purchases including gas. Perhaps my bank isn't on top of it, whereas the credit card company is. I shared the responses here with hubby and we both feel better about it. Thanks a bunch!

 

[goofyernmost]

Thanks, all. I have never experienced this -- and I use a debit card for 95% of my purchases including gas. Perhaps my bank isn't on top of it, whereas the credit card company is. I shared the responses here with hubby and we both feel better about it. Thanks a bunch!

My debit card works the same way. Unless there is money in the account it will not approve it, just like the credit card company will reject it if there is no credit left to offer. It may differ slightly with my Debit card because it is linked to an actual credit company (Visa) so it will act the same way as a CC even though when it is processed it comes directly out of my checking account and not through any Credit Company. If yours doesn't have the CC connection, that might explain why it hasn't shown up that way on your statement. One way to find out is if you have a link to your bank accounts via the internet, check it right away and it will usually show up as "pending" with the correct number or a smaller one, by the next day it shows the full amount taken out of your account.