Issues Using Visa Card

I have a Visa Card I use mainly for stamp purchases. I am running into difficulties using it for overseas transactions. I buy often from the UK and twice in the past few months my charge has been declined and my account frozen from on line access afterward. I am not currently mentioning the carrier but it is a company that has gained a reputation for being less than customer friendly. I also have a debit card I'd prefer to use but it is invalid for overseas purchases.

Has anyone else had issues like this and were you able to figure out an approach to avoid this? It took several phone calls and an hour of my time today. It also doesn't make me look good to the dealer!

Have you looked at PayPal? I use it all of the time. I prefer it to a card because the seller never sees your card information. I like to use it world wide.

If dealers accept credit cards, they understand how security-conscious the industry has become.

The level of fraud detection and monitoring by credit card companies is at an all time high.

Last week, I used my American Express at Walmart.com. The website hiccuped and told me to re-enter my card. I assumed I missed a digit or something. Before I could finish retyping the number, my phone rang and an American Express fraud agent wanted to verify I was using my card for a Walmart purchase, which she described as "outside my normal buying pattern."

In a way, it's annoying and maybe a bit creepy. On the other hand, it has merits.

ANYWAY.... I think the appropriate call would be the Card Company Fraud department -- explain to them your habit of purchasing stamps from foreign entities. Ask if they can "relax" the monitoring. And I'd also lower the credit limit on that card to $250 or $500 -- some number that accommodates your needs, but no more.

Just my 2¢
KirkS

I did explain that to the guy at the card company but I somehow think he didn't understand. He kept asking if I was in the UK and when I said I wasn't he asked why a company there would submit a charge! I had to explain that this was an online purchase- it was like he'd never heard of such a thing. Before that they went through five security questions! I suppose every time I want to use my card on such a purchase I could call them beforehand but that's sort of ridiculous. They have done the same thing for a $15 charge for an internet radio service I subscribe to- it's billed monthly and they'd processed several prior charges before freezing my account on one of them. I think there is no human involvement in these- they just seem irrational. I understand companies are more aggressive on this stuff- this one just seems bonkers.

I use my Visa on international purchases quite often but never have I run into issues buying something. I have had to verify they were my purchases a couple of times but like mentioned by Kirk, it has it's merits.

I've just had the same problem with my VISA card over some purchases from a UK auction. I've dealt with the same auction house before, many times using the same card, and never had this problem.

At first I thought it might be because my card is due to expire next month, but now I think I'd better explore the matter further.

About 20 years ago, Band of America froze my US credit card when they suddenly saw me making purchases from inside Canada. It was, in fact, my first trip to Canada. I was on a business trip. They unfroze my credit card within half a day when I contacted them. After that, I use the following technique and have NEVER had problems since with any of my credit cards:

Call the credit card company in ADVANCE first time you make a purchase from/within another country, have them log the anticipated purchase/travel. Do that once, and you should never have problems using that card again. The card security is basically looking for a major change in purchasing behavior. You'd be surprised by the information they collect on you. By informing them in advance, your profile can be adjusted. The adjustments are quite good. At least twice they have caught unauthorized use of my cards within the US, even though outwardly my expenditures types and travel are all over the place.

If you still run into problems with that card after pre-authorization, time to switch cards as that bank is overly paranoid. My opinion.

EDIT: I just re-read your original post...


Looks like you have developed a very rigid profile for your card. It's not really the company, but the security software that is flagging those UK purchases. I think doing a couple of advanced pre-authorizations would really solve your problem. The security software should "learn" and quit flagging those purchases.

I have to call and unfreeze my main credit card about once a month. Lots of online purchase from around the globe, and I travel to many different countries for work, so they constantly think someone's stolen my card.

I've since spoken to my (Australian) VISA card issuer. They say they know nothing about my card being declined, and have no problems with it.

Could this be some difficulty peculiar to the UK?

Interesting. Thanks for the update. It would appear to suggest there might be an issue with the credit card processing company(ies) in the UK. Are THEY the ones rejecting the processing of certain out of country cards? It's not just the credit card issuer that can reject a transaction.

Hi,
International transactions can be sticky, especially for the buyer. In my humble opinion, the only way to go is PayPal. It may or may not be the least expensive, but it is the safest.

Using Visa, MC, or AE is fine, but frankly there are just too many thieves out there to make me feel comfortable using them internationally.

I agree on Paypal- however it is not accepted by a lot of dealers for on line transactions. One idea I have is to contact the company and ask if they do have a Paypal account and if you can remit that way, offering to add a bit to compensate their fees, can't hurt.
Not sure if I am supposed to do this but the carrier in my case is Bank of America. They toot their own horn constantly about how vigilant they are in credit card fraud. My opinion is that it is themselves, not so much the customers, they are protecting. The idea about calling beforehand next time seems a good one and I will try that.

Working for a bank, I have to tell you that identity theft is a HUGE expense for a bank. That's why they overreach many times. I have never had a charge declined, but it has been put in a "waiting to clear" state, and then I get a call from the Deposit Loss Prevention people.

Your other option may be to buy a re-loadable Visa gift card.

Resurrecting this thread to relate my interaction with BOA today, I called because we will be taking a trip to Canada next week and wanted to be sure that was noted for charges. I was brought up short when they told me there is a $10 minimum 'foreign use; charge on any transaction. I then tried to explain the issues I have had. They suggested I take advantage of some plan they have where they issue you an invalid card with a different number. You use that card and they then contact you to confirm you made the charge and put it trough on your real card! Sounds real practical for shopping, doesn't it? I also addressed my credit limit of $19,000, told them I didn't need or want one that high and that I felt that was contributing to their sensitivity on my transactions, they would not discuss this- said I 'earned that limit by my years of business' blah, blah. Before the call ended the guy read me a spiel about how if I miss a payment my APR will increase to 29% and never reduce.
I am getting rid of this card once my trip is over. It is clear they do not want small customers like me. Anyone have a card company you are happy with?

No. Sounds like every other corporation on earth as well.
Bet you'll get different answers everytime you'll call as well.

I'm thinking of starting a website for all the schananagans and fraud that goes on inside companies, departments fight each other as often as customers call and fight, fwiw.

A friend of mine (American) just traveled to the U.K. She was very pleased with her Citicorp/Citigroup card. No international fees and the card also covered insurance when she rented a car, saving her big money.

I'm sorry I don't know exactly which card she has, but you should be able to find information on their website. www.citicards.com