Max allowed transactions on credit card? A bit of Rant

[jasira]

For anybody following my story in request deal forum, I recently purchased about $1500 worth of candies with my mastercard divided into 20 different transactions to get the vouchers from shoppers.

After 10 or so transactions, my card was declined and when I called the mastercard, they told me they blocked it due to suspected fraudulent activities.

After reassuring them that I'm the owner of the card and that I'm crazy enough making that many transactions all with similar total balance, they released the card for the further use.

After my 20th transactions, I had to use the credit card again to take advantage of the optimum points discount, my card became declined again.

When I called the mastercard again, they told me that since I have exceeded my daily allowed transactions, I can't use it till next day.

Who in here has heard of similar experiences? I'm still way below my limit and I had no balance on the card. I still need to make another $600 purchase today(Saturday), but they won't let me do another transaction till Sunday which I can't have...

On the call, the rep kept telling it's the rule but wasn't specific on how many transactions I can have daily and was really reluctant to transfer me to fraud department to talk to them directly.

After finally convincing the rep, he transferred me over to fraud department, and I asked the fraud specialist for future references
1. how many transactions they are allowing me per day?
2. why I can't use my card even after I proved that it wasn't use in fradulent activities and it's still under the limit?
3. the agreement document that mentions the allowed transaction limit
4. who determines the number of transactions I'm allowed per day?
5. and finally how can I change that since I have a special situation that needs to be handled

Throughout the call, I purposely stayed calm and polite because I wasnted them to help me
1. figure out this brand new policy that I have never heard of
2. to send me proof that it exists
3. to waive it in my case just for today so I can get my job done.

The fraud specialist told me that basically the bank has the right to decline any transactions and that they don't have to approve transactions(but wouldn't tell me how they would determine that). When I asked for the document that shows this "rule" they kept calling, she became hostile and said "I already told you this three times that bank has the right to do what they want to do and I'm only going to say it again. You are refusing to listen to me and I've already spent 7 and 1/2 minutes with you on this." After her comment, I pointed out that it's her job to help me understand the the rules since I was never aware of the transaction limit and that I waited on the hold longer than 7.5 minutes waiting to speak directly with the fraud specialist.

What do you guys think of this situation? Or has similar thing happened to you with the mastercard?

For me, this was really something new. I never knew and before I never tried it but I figured since it's one time thing and I'm still under my limit, I think they should have removed the block. Am I being too unreasonable?

[brunes]

For anybody following my story in request deal forum, I recently purchased about $1500 worth of candies with my mastercard divided into 20 different transactions to get the vouchers from shoppers.

After 10 or so transactions, my card was declined and when I called the mastercard, they told me they blocked it due to suspected fraudulent activities.

After reassuring them that I'm the owner of the card and that I'm crazy enough making that many transactions all with similar total balance, they released the card for the further use.

After my 20th transactions, I had to use the credit card again to take advantage of the optimum points discount, my card became declined again.

When I called the mastercard again, they told me that since I have exceeded my daily allowed transactions, I can't use it till next day.

Who in here has heard of similar experiences? I'm still way below my limit and I had no balance on the card. I still need to make another $600 purchase today(Saturday), but they won't let me do another transaction till Sunday which I can't have...

On the call, the rep kept telling it's the rule but wasn't specific on how many transactions I can have daily and was really reluctant to transfer me to fraud department to talk to them directly.

After finally convincing the rep, he transferred me over to fraud department, and I asked the fraud specialist for future references
1. how many transactions they are allowing me per day?
2. why I can't use my card even after I proved that it wasn't use in fradulent activities and it's still under the limit?
3. the agreement document that mentions the allowed transaction limit
4. who determines the number of transactions I'm allowed per day?
5. and finally how can I change that if I have a special situation that needs to be handled

Throughout the call, I purposely stayed calm and polite because I wasnted them to help me
1. figure out this brand new policy that I have never heard of
2. to send me proof that it exists
3. to waive it in my case just for today so I can get my job.

The fraud specialist told me that basically the bank has the right to decline any transactions and that they don't have to approve transactions(but wouldn't tell me how they would determine that). When I asked for the document that shows this "rule" they kept calling, she became hostile and said "I already told you this three times that bank has the right to do what they want to do and I'm only going to say it again. You are refusing to listen to me and I've already spent 7 and 1/2 minutes with you on this." After her comment, I pointed out that it's her job to help me understand the the rules since I was never aware of the transaction limit and that I waited oh the hold longer than 7.5 minutes waiting to speak directly with the fraud specialist.

What do you guys think of this situation? Or has similar thing happened to you with the mastercard?

For me, this was really something new. I never knew and before I never tried it but I figured since it's one time thing and I'm still under my limit, I think they should have removed the block. Am I being too unreasonable?

This all has to do with fraud prevention. Most companies don't have a hard limit but their software tracks everything the card does and when it notices something suspicious it will automatically flag it and possinly disable the card temporarily.

If for example the card has a charge in two geographically distant places in a very short span of time it will usually flag that. Another thing they will flag is a large number of transactions over a short period of time.

I would not worry about it much. You hit it this time because of the unusual shopping pattern. It is not something you will run into every day, or even every month. It seems like the CC company was doing it's job to guard your credit, and when you called them they quickly reversed the hold. There isn't much more you could ask for really.

[zoro69]

I've had mine frozen twice after making a number of quick online transactions. Once was back with Toysrus game deals in 05, ordered online, fond some more and ordered again. Then went to Toys store and made 2 purchases...then went to another store and card was declined with me having no idea why.

Both times it was resolved right away by phoning, sure is a pain though.

[Vertigo]

I've had mine frozen twice after making a number of quick online transactions. Once was back with Toysrus game deals in 05, ordered online, fond some more and ordered again. Then went to Toys store and made 2 purchases...then went to another store and card was declined with me having no idea why.

Both times it was resolved right away by phoning, sure is a pain though.

Having had my CC# compromised by a smuggling ring in the past, it's a pain I'm willing to deal with if it covers my ***** . Yeah, my card was deactivated for nothing more than an Apple.com purchase. For some reason, Apple billed the laptop, iPod, and printer that were on my order separately. The 3 successive transactions triggered a fraud alert. *shrug*

[squall458]

You sure bought a lot of candy...I know you want to do whatever you want with your card but look, if it was a scammer making those transactions you would be thanking them for stopping the transactions, wouldn't you? Slight inconvenience for some protection is ok in my books.

[jasira]

Yeah I get that they were looking out for me and I did make the point on the call for how much I appreciate that they were looking out for me.

However, once the customer reassures them that everything is okay, shouldn't they release the hold on my account?

[Kinki]

carry more than 1 credit card would be my advice.

[the_snowcrystal]

I think I'm really surprised that someone with a credit card isn't aware that there are these sorts of limitations in place.

With the rampant credit theft that goes on, this is an attempt to lower the chances that you'll be a victim of it. Our individual patterns are known and tracked so that any change that looks suspicious is caught and the account is frozen. This is often how they physically catch people who are using stolen credit.

As for reactivating the account on the spot, what if it wasn't really you on the phone, but someone with your stolen info? Happens all the time, especially through computers.

The bank obviously has it's own protection in place, which is a good idea. If the lady from Mastercard told you that it was the bank's discretion, then ask the bank about it. She can't answer for them.

[jasira]

I just spoke with the manager/supervisor and she told me that max allowed transaction is usually 10 per day.

She did apologize how nobody was able to tell me the number before and the conduct of the fraud specialist who refuse to help after 7.5 minutes of phone call.

She promised to send me the document as soon as she finds out.

Now I know and I would be planning my purchases better so it won't be declined.

[rob187jj]

i actually got a call from VISA...i had a bunch of party poker bonus codes but the max i could deposit at once was a $100 for the bonus codes to work so i did 5 transactions of $100 within 20 minutes and they called my cellphone and asked me if i was the one making the transactions. i was pretty impressed by their fraud service.

[can2do]

I'd rather be safe than sorry. IMO, the cc companay was doing their job. Someone on the other end of the phone could have bypassed the first checkup. Yours was an unusual transaction(s). If you want to beat the system at Shoppers, get more credit cards.

Every time a crook beats the CC system, you & I and everyone else pay for it.

[AmberMoon]

Might be beneficial to get a backup card just encase. I have to agree with the CC company because without these policy's in place we are all open to fraud. I'm surprised they didn't wave the hold once you explained as a one time courtesy but I guess it depends on the card.

[gman]

That is why I have many credit cards to backup the backup of backup (I don't carry them all). You won't have any idea why the CC stops working one day. There are many reasons that situation (CC not working) can happen. Today, it can be this reason. Tomorrow, it can be another one.

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

i actually got a call from VISA...i had a bunch of party poker bonus codes but the max i could deposit at once was a $100 for the bonus codes to work so i did 5 transactions of $100 within 20 minutes and they called my cellphone and asked me if i was the one making the transactions. i was pretty impressed by their fraud service.

VISA fraud department is amazing, something I cannot say about the bumbling idiots of Bank of Montreal.
-

[epson600]

VISA? Let me tell you about visa. They have this "verified by visa" thing that they use for online transactions.

So I go to a e-merchant, type in my info and hit "purchase", then it redirects to the Verified by VISA site and I verify myself there, then the transaction fails. I repeat the steps and after it fails a second time I get a call from VISA about my purchase.

Apparently, because I didnt make $1000+ purchase in the last couple of months, that is enough to flag the system. Nevermind that I already verified my purchase on the verified by visa site.:rolleyes:

[shoppingmama]

I had my credit card declined after 10 purchases on a few occasions, I know it's to protect us but it is annoying when you get declined for a $5 purchase but have over $10,000 in available credit.:twisted:

[jasira]

I had my credit card declined after 10 purchases on a few occasions, I know it's to protect us but it is annoying when you get declined for a $5 purchase but have over $10,000 in available credit.:twisted:


Yeap. I know exactly how you feel.

I just never knew about the max allowed transactions and it just threw me off that I couldn't convince them to unfreeze my account even after the reasonable explanation.

[ItemFinder]

I bought two X-box 360s when they first came out. I was called by the fraud department. It was painless. To have a hard limit on transactions sounds stupid, but I guess it's a reason to carry more than one card.

[pidbull]

well i guess they have a limit per day
but they should have been courteous and let you do this one time thing

i remember my dad ran into a similiar situation, and he called the bank to let him make the purchase and they let him...but this was like 6-7 years ago...fraud is probably way higher now

had a question, i have a student account with rbc, iam purchasing a laptop that is 1570, but my credit card limit is 1500 per month, will they increase the limit if i ask them or are they really strict about these things...

[jasira]

well i guess they have a limit per day
but they should have been courteous and let you do this one time thing

i remember my dad ran into a similiar situation, and he called the bank to let him make the purchase and they let him...but this was like 6-7 years ago...fraud is probably way higher now

had a question, i have a student account with rbc, iam purchasing a laptop that is 1570, but my credit card limit is 1500 per month, will they increase the limit if i ask them or are they really strict about these things...

from my experience, they wouldn't increase the fund for the one time but what you might be able to do is add your money so it's greater than 1500. I don't know it will work so check with your customer service first.

[Topher]

It is understandable for a credit card company to flag anything they deem suspicious. I ordered a couple of hard drives and had them shipped to my work address, instead of my home address, and had a call within minutes asking if it was me that made the purchase. That impressed me.

What is not understandable is that they refused to allow you to continue to use your card AFTER you had spoken with the fraud department and confirmed that these were your valid transactions. If they were unsure of whether or not it was you, they can ask you whatever they want to confirm your identity. The fact that they could not provide you evidence of a hard rule on the number of transactions in a day, and were rude to you on top of that, is an insult. Find another card. These guys don't appreciate your business, and don't deserve it.

[Happy13178]

It is understandable for a credit card company to flag anything they deem suspicious. I ordered a couple of hard drives and had them shipped to my work address, instead of my home address, and had a call within minutes asking if it was me that made the purchase. That impressed me.

What is not understandable is that they refused to allow you to continue to use your card AFTER you had spoken with the fraud department and confirmed that these were your valid transactions. If they were unsure of whether or not it was you, they can ask you whatever they want to confirm your identity. The fact that they could not provide you evidence of a hard rule on the number of transactions in a day, and were rude to you on top of that, is an insult. Find another card. These guys don't appreciate your business, and don't deserve it.

Agree totally. I support card companies that do their part to help protect me (and themselves), but I would have snapped hard at the fraud rep for that 7.5 minute comment. I've gone all the way up the chain to report and attack reps at other companies that do that, its unacceptable....because it's their job to sit there and do exactly what they're doing. If they don't want to do it, they shouldn't get to keep their job.

[HowEver]

I wonder if the limit for daily transactions on a gold or some specific VISA card is higher.

It's possible that the security is even higher. I once swiped my card three times getting gas and had a phone call from VISA's fraud department just as I made the third swipe. After verifying who I was and that I was the person trying to buy gas, they wanted to tell me that the first swipe worked and that I could go ahead and pour my gas.

Scary, yes, but nice to know they are looking out for us... I guess.

[DaVibe]

I've had CIBC Visa done this to me in the past but it was actually at the store I worked at, so I was able to talk to them directly. I was in the process of phoning them and apparently they were already phoning the store to ask if "So and So" was in the store shopping today.
Luckily they knew right away and was like "Yeah, you can talk to him" and passed the phone over.
The thing was, they wanted to know how many more transactions I was going to make and for how much. Here I am adding the taxes and everything over, like wtf?

MasterCard has never done this to me as of yet.

If they can verify who you are and what you're doing, I don't see why they won't let you spend away. I've NEVER heard of a "Maximum" amount of transactions and if anything, I haven't reached it yet.

[gheart008]

I would not worry about it much. You hit it this time because of the unusual shopping pattern. It is not something you will run into every day, or even every month. It seems like the CC company was doing it's job to guard your credit, and when you called them they quickly reversed the hold. There isn't much more you could ask for really.

+1

This isn't your regular spending pattern, so it probably won't affect you that much, but it's sure great to know that these fraud prevention methods are there in place to protect you when things do go wrong.

[actuary]

As I am reading this thread, I keep asking myself the question, "What else are you guys willing to give up in the name of security?"

As I see it, the credit card companies are only seeking to protect themselves. Cardholders are not responsible for fraudulent charges.

[DaVibe]

It is understandable for a credit card company to flag anything they deem suspicious. I ordered a couple of hard drives and had them shipped to my work address, instead of my home address, and had a call within minutes asking if it was me that made the purchase. That impressed me.

What is not understandable is that they refused to allow you to continue to use your card AFTER you had spoken with the fraud department and confirmed that these were your valid transactions. If they were unsure of whether or not it was you, they can ask you whatever they want to confirm your identity. The fact that they could not provide you evidence of a hard rule on the number of transactions in a day, and were rude to you on top of that, is an insult. Find another card. These guys don't appreciate your business, and don't deserve it.

Agreed. Especially because of the timely purchases and the fact that it had to be that day to benefit from the sale, that would really piss me off.
I'd call them and tell them that you didn't appreciate the events, see if they want to do anything for you, otherwise you can deal with someone else.

[Topher]

As I am reading this thread, I keep asking myself the question, "What else are you guys willing to give up in the name of security?"

As I see it, the credit card companies are only seeking to protect themselves. Cardholders are not responsible for fraudulent charges.

The issue is not about the credit card company protecting the cardholder. It's about them refusing to allow the cardholder to make purchases AFTER identifying that the purchases were valid, and were being authorized by the cardholder. THAT is when it crossed the line, and that is the issue at hand here.

[jasira]

Finally I have somebody understanding why I was so frustrated with the credit card company that day...

From the earlier responses, I was beginning to think I was being unreasonable to ask to release my card, send me the document regarding the rule and get a fixed number of the transactions and get the rep in trouble for being so rude on the phone.

Thank you for understanding my feeling on this....

[HowEver]

Finally I have somebody understanding why I was so frustrated with the credit card company that day...

From the earlier responses, I was beginning to think I was being unreasonable to ask to release my card, send me the document regarding the rule and get a fixed number of the transactions and get the rep in trouble for being so rude on the phone.

Thank you for understanding my feeling on this....

NOW I get the point of this thread!

"There, there, now."

[jasira]

NOW I get the point of this thread!

"There, there, now."

ha ha ha thanks :)

[JWL]

For anybody following my story in request deal forum, I recently purchased about $1500 worth of candies with my mastercard divided into 20 different transactions to get the vouchers from shoppers.

Why were you buying $1500 worth of candies?

My 2 cents is that I don't have a problem with anti-fraud processes. They are there for everyone's benefit (except the thief of course!).

[DaVibe]

User wants some opinions on the situation, that's all. What's the big deal.
Free bump to an exciting thread :lol:

[jasira]

Why were you buying $1500 worth of candies?

My 2 cents is that I don't have a problem with anti-fraud processes. They are there for everyone's benefit (except the thief of course!).


Buying halloween candies for church purpose.

I still have $400 more to go with the shoppers drug mart voucher. In few minutes, I will be heading out for the final purchase of the candies.