My credit card is frozen--good opportunity

[Peter R]

I went to place a small order from DigiKey but I got the error "can't process your order--please contact your bank."  This seems to happen several times a year and requires me to either wait till the problem disappears on its own, or sit on hold for 30 min to resolve.  Last time Visa froze my card because I ordered "$1500 of merchandise from an online store categorized as 'women's apparel.'"  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  Visa, do you not realize that men buy things for women?

Eventually, we will be able to purchase on-line from several merchants without the "help" of third-parties.  But in the meantime, please someone create a reliable bitcoin-to-credit-card gateway that also manages my shipping addresses.  I would pay for this service just out of spite for Visa. 

(My apologies for the rant!)

[durrrr]

I'm not suprised that visa flagged this and this is another reason why we need bitcoin . It would solve a lot of issues like this onw

[Meuh6879]

same append to me ... i'm restricted to 600-800 Euros per day of transaction on VISA/MASTERCARD.
that's why i transfer all my sum on Bitcoin.

i don't accept that.

[RodeoX]

I hear you bro. When I travel they often shut my card down. For example I was in L.A. paying for brunch when my card was declined. I paid for my airline tickets with that card, rented the hotel room with that card, and was eating at the hotel restaurant. Still they flagged the transaction. It's a hassle. A few weeks ago I had brunch in Seattle. Because I paid with bitcoin, there wasn't an authority in the world that could screw with my transaction.

[skooter]

lol, I agree that visa's a pain in the ass sometimes, but I never have this problem with amex.

I made an 8K charge on my amex card without so much as a phone call questioning it.

[iluvpie60]

I hear you bro. When I travel they often shut my card down. For example I was in L.A. paying for brunch when my card was declined. I paid for my airline tickets with that card, rented the hotel room with that card, and was eating at the hotel restaurant. Still they flagged the transaction. It's a hassle. A few weeks ago I had brunch in Seattle. Because I paid with bitcoin, there wasn't an authority in the world that could screw with my transaction.

You do realize that every CC company has a policy that says "you must tell them when you travel" right?

If this keeps happening to you, then you aren't very smart lol... Or need a different CC that doesn't have this issue.

[acoindr]

...  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  ...

Do we really want companies scrutinizing our lives this much? How can that not give anyone the creeps?

[poordeveloper]

Last time Visa froze my card because I ordered "$1500 of merchandise from an online store categorized as 'women's apparel.'"  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  Visa, do you not realize that men buy things for women?

Has this seriously happened to you? It is much more worrying than it appears - you can't even buy things "that you aren't supposed to buy".

...  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  ...

Do we really want companies scrutinizing our lives this much? How can that not give anyone the creeps?

That is another problem. Following the problem with the card I quoted, they must have a very complete profile of each of us based on our purchases.

[DeShack96]

I went to place a small order from DigiKey but I got the error "can't process your order--please contact your bank."  This seems to happen several times a year and requires me to either wait till the problem disappears on its own, or sit on hold for 30 min to resolve.  Last time Visa froze my card because I ordered "$1500 of merchandise from an online store categorized as 'women's apparel.'"  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  Visa, do you not realize that men buy things for women?

Eventually, we will be able to purchase on-line from several merchants without the "help" of third-parties.  But in the meantime, please someone create a reliable bitcoin-to-credit-card gateway that also manages my shipping addresses.  I would pay for this service just out of spite for Visa. 

(My apologies for the rant!)

Seems like you should get in on this: https://xapo.com/in/campaign/debit/

[Keyser Soze]

An unfortunate side effect of fraud prevention I guess. Some financial institutions have lower thresholds for "unusual activity" then others.

...  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  ...

Do we really want companies scrutinizing our lives this much? How can that not give anyone the creeps?

Don't really have a choice if you want to use a debit or credit card. The issuing financial institution will monitor all of your activity closely in a effort to reduce fraud.

[Jcw188]

An unfortunate side effect of fraud prevention I guess. Some financial institutions have lower thresholds for "unusual activity" then others.

...  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  ...

Do we really want companies scrutinizing our lives this much? How can that not give anyone the creeps?

Don't really have a choice if you want to use a debit or credit card. The issuing financial institution will monitor all of your activity closely in a effort to reduce fraud.

Makes you wonder if one day you'll have to notify your CC company or bank any time you might be traveling anywhere outside your state.  Heck they say they do it to reduce fraud, so it makes sense on their end as long as us customers will take it.  When enough people talk with their wallet about all these rules and regs then they might change their practices.

[Meuh6879]

the problem is not this ... i travel (or buy), then ... BEFORE ... i have filled my account (of the card) with the correct amount of money.
and then ?
i can't use it !

that not new, i know this limitation (1200 euros) ... but the problem is that this "limit" have moved without a notice to 600-800 euros per day.
for fraud, you have the normal SMS ... to validate the amount.
they don't use this, they block and it's all.

[Keyser Soze]

Makes you wonder if one day you'll have to notify your CC company or bank any time you might be traveling anywhere outside your state.  Heck they say they do it to reduce fraud, so it makes sense on their end as long as us customers will take it.  When enough people talk with their wallet about all these rules and regs then they might change their practices.

Depending on the financial institution and where you live/travel, you may already have to notify them.

While it's possible that there are other reasons for monitoring your activity, fraud is the primary concern. They have to walk a fine line between convenience and fraud protection in an attempt for higher profits.

[BittBurger]

My card gets turned off *any time* i use a new gas station that I "dont normally use".

I have to call up and have it turned back on at least once a month.

Thanks Chase!

[skooter]

I went to place a small order from DigiKey but I got the error "can't process your order--please contact your bank."  This seems to happen several times a year and requires me to either wait till the problem disappears on its own, or sit on hold for 30 min to resolve.  Last time Visa froze my card because I ordered "$1500 of merchandise from an online store categorized as 'women's apparel.'"  When I called to resolve the issue they said that "since I was not a woman" the transaction was flagged as suspicious.  Visa, do you not realize that men buy things for women?

Eventually, we will be able to purchase on-line from several merchants without the "help" of third-parties.  But in the meantime, please someone create a reliable bitcoin-to-credit-card gateway that also manages my shipping addresses.  I would pay for this service just out of spite for Visa. 

(My apologies for the rant!)

Seems like you should get in on this: https://xapo.com/in/campaign/debit/

That's not going to solve any problems of debit cards.

Presumably if it's a debit card, they need to offer fraud protection and chargebacks as well.

If it's a debit card it's going to be processed through visa or mastercard.

[poordeveloper]

My card gets turned off *any time* i use a new gas station that I "dont normally use".

I have to call up and have it turned back on at least once a month.

Thanks Chase!

A new gas station? Have you had any problems with the security of your cards in the past or it's just them being paranoid? Because I can't think of any other reasons for this...
I mean, gas has value... but the same would apply for many other types of businesses.

[Meuh6879]

probably operator of ATM (automate) don't allow "free limit" (like 200USD in caution) on pre-account verification (before take physical gas).

[brian_23452]

I hear you bro. When I travel they often shut my card down. For example I was in L.A. paying for brunch when my card was declined. I paid for my airline tickets with that card, rented the hotel room with that card, and was eating at the hotel restaurant. Still they flagged the transaction. It's a hassle. A few weeks ago I had brunch in Seattle. Because I paid with bitcoin, there wasn't an authority in the world that could screw with my transaction.

You do realize that every CC company has a policy that says "you must tell them when you travel" right?

If this keeps happening to you, then you aren't very smart lol... Or need a different CC that doesn't have this issue.

My hate for the policy isn't the policy itself, but the completely arbitrary manner in which they enforce it.  I went to visit family for Christmas as an example.  Bought the tickets with my Visa.  Got there, bought everything there with Visa.  Bought a 1500 dollar computer there as a present.  All fine.  No transactions blocked.  Get to the airport to come home and my 2 dollar cup of coffee is blocked.  WTF?  Or a few months back I buy some stuff online from a merchant.  3 thousand dollar transactions all go through to the same merchant, the fourth one gets blocked.  WTF? 

[zolace]

Most cards you must let them know that your traveling to another place or country, this happen to me manytimes, so pick up the phone and call.  isnt there already a card that has this service already

[solarion]

Most cards you must let them know that your traveling to another place or country, this happen to me manytimes, so pick up the phone and call.

No thanks, I'll use cash or bitcoins.