Visa electron (funds taken when nothing in there!) no overdraft either!?

Question

I have just woken up to find my account £120 overdrawn. I have a halifax EASYCASH account, no overdraft, and only a visa electron debit card. The company is GSGA LTD who i have no idea who this is. I just phoned my bank to number one ask who they are (they said they need 3 days to find out!) and number 2, why the h**l they have authorised £120 off my debit card with no overdraft and no available funds in that particular account.

The response was, ALL debit cards are authorised without actually taking the funds immediately. I told her thats absolute BS cos i have tried before for say £2 when ive not known ive only had £1.95 in there and its been declined. She insisted all visa go through same authorisation process and basically anyone can take whatever they want. however i just tested her theory and tried my card online for £1 transaction, guess what... DECLINED!

How the h**l has this gone through? Are the bank lying to me? Well i know they are but does anyone have any experience in this field?

ESPECIALLY WITH THE B**TARDS AT HALIFAX!!!

Answer 1

I agree totally with what you're saying about payment not going through when you don't have enough funds in your account. It's happened to me before in the past using an electron card.

I'm afraid that I can't tell you how this might have happened, but it sounds like something fraudulent to me.

What I would say is ring Halifax back, if necessary ask to speak to a manager. The staff in these call centres always make out they know exactly what they're talking about, but I find half the time they don't have a clue! If you ring back you may get someone who actually knows what they are talking about, and are able to explain whats happened.

The other part which sounds sus is the bank not knowing who this company is. The way it usually works is that while the money is pending on your account they can't say where the money is going, but once it has been paid and the money has left your account, then they should be able to tell you.

Hope you get it sorted. My Sister-in-law was a victim of credit card fraund, she got all her money back!