Down Cash writes:
I visited a Topaz pump last week and used one of their card operated pumps where you pay at the pump rather than in the store.
When doing this you input a value of fuel you want, insert your pin and then pump. The pump cuts off when your car is full as usual, or pumps until the inputted value of fuel is reached. You are then supposed to be charged for the amount you pumped.
(Note: This was my first time filling this car and at the time I did not know fuel capacity or reserve capacity, my bad).
To my surprise when I looked at my account online two days later both the amount initially inputted (€60) and the pumped amount (€50) had been taken from my account.
On visiting the station they informed me this was to stop thieves with nothing in their account filling and running with no money in their account.
Today I received a reply from Topaz after querying this practice:
“As per our conversation I can confirm that Topaz charged your account for only the petrol dispensed i.e. €50, the €60 that was entered at the pump is being held by your bank and was not processed and should show in your account in 2-3 working days.”
(Note: I was told 4.5 working days for return of the money at the station).
In my account the €60 and €50 are gone from the account. At present I have no access to that €60.
I contacted my bank. They informed me that they’ve never heard of this and that they are not holding any money. The bank say all they can see is 2 transactions that are verified by my pin even though I only verified 1 transaction.
I saw no information that I would lose money for a week and was never informed of this important detail. I have rented cars and you are clearly warned about a hold of money on your account when renting the car, for damage etc reasons.
I thought I’d inform people in case they didn’t know, as I did not.
Anyone?