Wendy's said my debit card was declined!
By estherlou
@estherlou (5015)
United States
November 4, 2007 10:34am CST
I was so shocked and embarrassed. I remember having credit cards to the max, but that was years ago. I don't even have a credit card anymore...just my debit card. I was trying to buy a salad for supper. I just sat there saying, "But that's my checking account card! There's money in there!" And I could just feel them rolling their eyes! Hubby is a manager at a convenience store, and he laughed too, saying he hears that all of the time. But what happened, is my bank thought too many charges were going it to tracfone and amazon.com so they blocked it. I remember trying to sign up for some extra minutes online at tracfone, and their page was not working. I tried it for 3 days in a row several times and it wouldn't work. It's a good thing the bank was watching out for me, but why didn't they call to inform us? It was aggravating.
11 people like this
23 responses
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
4 Nov 07
I am sure it was both aggravating and embarrassing. I guess I will not try that with tracfone until they get the bugs out of the system. We tried to do some online banking with our account, and hubby put in the wrong something or other. . .well they blocked us, and reset our password It bugs me. I know that debit cards are supposed to save us time and money, but I still trust cash most of all. I wonder if anyone lets us pay with cash anymore? Wendy's probably hears that all of the time as well. I bank at Sunflower Bank, and another basically local bank, but that is the bank that blocked my account.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
4 Nov 07
We have had this happen to us on several occasions. But, it is only to my husband's account. I end up paying for the purchase with my card.
2 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Oh I know.Walmart is the worst for decling debit cards.i have had mine declined before ,knowing full well i have money in the bank.It is very embarrassing to say the least.It is all these modern machines we have now days.It happens to people so often now days we are about to get use to it.I have two debit cards,one is mine and the other is hubby's same account.They have declined mine and took his on the same account..Do you have that automatic check out at Walmart where you live? you get inline and check out your own grocercies and purchases?How do you like that.I have used it a few times and it is ok at times ,other times its just a big mess..
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
5 Nov 07
I walk very short distances with a cane, so haven't been shopping in years. Hubby does our shopping and hasn't mentioned that being available here yet. I've loved watching those commercials about it where one person pulls out cash or a check-book and all of the action just stops! Hilarious!
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
15 Nov 07
I hope you did not starve.
I know how it is to be imbarrassed like that. It seems no one believes you. I am glad you got it all straighted out.
I believe you that their was money in the account.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
15 Nov 07
A little while after my husband got my card all straightened out, his card was declined. Boy, was he hot! He had to go to the bank again! Apparently they have started some kind of fraud protection system that is flagging all purchases using the credit card option to our debit/check cards. We never know if it's going to work or not! It's a big pain.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
4 Nov 07
Maybe the bank you use doesn't have a policy for contacting you. Maybe the bank isn't set up for outgoing customer service calls, like a call center. Good thing they watched out for you though. Maybe they will inform you by mail. Could be a computerized system.
@Jshean20 (14349)
• Canada
5 Nov 07
I can only imagine how embarrassing that would be, imagine how much worse it could've been if you had a cart full of groceries though..yikes! It would've been nice if your bank had contacted you, but it should be reassuring that they weere watching out for you!
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
5 Nov 07
i hardly pay my purchases with debit card... it is always credit card and i always look after it... so it never happens to me... but i know how embarassing and frustruating that will be for you...
1 person likes this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Sorry to hear that you had problems using your debit card and hopefully you have that resolved now. I think the bank should let you know what is going on so that you are not inconvenienced. It is good though that your bank is looking after your best interest by not allowing unauthorized transactions.
1 person likes this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
5 Nov 07
I would have called the bank to find out what was going on.
I have had my card declined because stores, restaurants etc..put a hold on more money then I spent. It is embarassing and most people change their tune when it happens to them for no valid reason.
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
5 Nov 07
Yes, hubby had to call the bank to see what was up. We have one bank account and each have a debit card on it...his worked, mine was frozen until we talked to them.
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
5 Nov 07
How frustrating and embarrasing this can be. I agree the bank should have tried calling you. At least they had your back, just in case. I guess better safe than sorry these days!
1 person likes this
@mari_skye (1637)
• Philippines
5 Nov 07
That must be really embarassing. Even if the bank meant well, they should have informed you first of the situation.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
5 Nov 07
My debit card did that once when I did alot of xmas shopping out of town which was out of the ordinary. I was heading home and pulled into a gas station to gas up and my card declined. Apparently I had just done too many transactions that day and it shut down for security reasons. Luckily, my friend had some cash on her or we would have been in a real bind. I also work at a convenience store and sometimes cards will be declined for no apparent reason. We have an ATM in the store and the customer will walk over and check his balance and show me the available cash and still it will not run thru our machine. They end up withdrawing cash from the ATM to pay for their purchase!
1 person likes this
@littlefranciscan (18327)
• United States
5 Nov 07
I actually had this happen..but with another restaurant: Ponderosa..IT was nothing wrong with my card but rather something wrong with their atm machine.
Seems lately many atm's have been put out of commission..
For sometime the Foodland atm has been out..and the McDonalds went through this as well.
Since ATMs are on the net too I suppose they can get a virus of some sort too?
1 person likes this
@budsr03 (2350)
• Canada
4 Nov 07
I feel bad for you Estherlou, i hope it didn't ruin your whole day? I've had that type of embarrasment so i usuallly carry some money just in case! Your bank was quick to react, but you should have been informed also to avoid such circumstances! I wish you better days ahead!
Take care Estherlou.
1 person likes this
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
4 Nov 07
I work for a bank, in the call center and generally they do call. they leave messages and if you don't respond they block the card. I believe that this is not the situtaion with your card but I would suggest complaining to someone. If it is not their policy to call the card holder, I would switch banks. The bank that i work for has a "call us" policy rather than a decline. Then the csr comes on the phone and talks with the purchaser and validates information. If your bank can't do this, you should contact another bank. just a suggestion.
1 person likes this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
4 Nov 07
I would also have been embarrassed. This hasn't happened to me but to someone in front of me in line. I felt so bad for them. If it happened to be I would have been at the bank in no time to straighten it out. I would have been so aggravated, for sure. I am glad though, that your bank was watching out for you.
@lavenderbloom (1057)
• United Arab Emirates
4 Nov 07
Oh that was really bad. It's good that you dont use ur credit card anymore but keep checking ur debit card too. Things might happen and ruin ur day. Take care.
1 person likes this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
4 Nov 07
Careful next time Esther! At least not too much damage was done. Plus you did learn something. And yes, this is a reason to at least carry a bit of cash on your person. Technology isn't always flawless.
I have to admit, I'm chuckling right along with your husband =D
1 person likes this
