Issue w/Credit Union Visa Card

[Anonymous]

DH and I had a Visa Card with a credit union for about 16 years now. It has a 6K limit and our current balance is about $600 and we are in good standing (never had late payments). A few days ago, I tried to make a purchase through Amazon (Germany) for some toys. The total amount was about 16 Euros. Amazon sent me a message saying that the card was not 'approved'. I called the CU and they checked and wanted to make sure that the charge is legit. I authorized it and they told me to put it through again. I did and it was yet again declined. Called the CU back and they told me that they will not allow me to make purchases through Amazon (Germany). I don't get it! This is MY card and I authorized the charge. WTF!!!

We only have another Amex Card or our Bank debit card and I could use those, but I want to use the CU Visa card. Is there anything else I should do? I already talked to the VISA Manager at the CU, but she wouldn't help either. I have never heard of such thing. I can understand checking with the customer to make sure it is not fraud, but not allowing me to use my own card?????

[Anonymous]

Maybe the vendor is problematic for Visa for whatever reason.

[Anonymous]

Or maybe the Credit Union has been put on alert that the via Amazaon (Germany) website (and purchasing anything through that site is hazardous) is comprimised.

[Anonymous]

I tried to pay for groceries with my Amex card at our local Giant over last weekend, and my transaction was blocked. They said it looked suspicious to them. Why would a $100 payment for groceries at a local store be suspicious activity?? They are being ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I got it figured out. They told me that purchases made on a 'foreign' website have to be pre-approved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I had a Visa Card with a credit union for about 16 years now. It has a 6K limit and our current balance is about $600 and we are in good standing (never had late payments). A few days ago, I tried to make a purchase through Amazon (Germany) for some toys. The total amount was about 16 Euros. Amazon sent me a message saying that the card was not 'approved'. I called the CU and they checked and wanted to make sure that the charge is legit. I authorized it and they told me to put it through again. I did and it was yet again declined. Called the CU back and they told me that they will not allow me to make purchases through Amazon (Germany). I don't get it! This is MY card and I authorized the charge. WTF!!!

We only have another Amex Card or our Bank debit card and I could use those, but I want to use the CU Visa card. Is there anything else I should do? I already talked to the VISA Manager at the CU, but she wouldn't help either. I have never heard of such thing. I can understand checking with the customer to make sure it is not fraud, but not allowing me to use my own card?????

PayPal. And you are silly to use a debit card internationally

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I had a Visa Card with a credit union for about 16 years now. It has a 6K limit and our current balance is about $600 and we are in good standing (never had late payments). A few days ago, I tried to make a purchase through Amazon (Germany) for some toys. The total amount was about 16 Euros. Amazon sent me a message saying that the card was not 'approved'. I called the CU and they checked and wanted to make sure that the charge is legit. I authorized it and they told me to put it through again. I did and it was yet again declined. Called the CU back and they told me that they will not allow me to make purchases through Amazon (Germany). I don't get it! This is MY card and I authorized the charge. WTF!!!

We only have another Amex Card or our Bank debit card and I could use those, but I want to use the CU Visa card. Is there anything else I should do? I already talked to the VISA Manager at the CU, but she wouldn't help either. I have never heard of such thing. I can understand checking with the customer to make sure it is not fraud, but not allowing me to use my own card?????

PayPal. And you are silly to use a debit card internationally

No. PayPal has a long and sordid history of seriously screwing its customers. Google around and you'll find tons of complaints about blocked sales, money being held back without recourse, and refunds being given to buyers without any appeals process. There's a famous story of violin that someone sold and the buyer claimed was fake. It wasn't, but PayPal asked the buyer to destroy the violin and then refunded the buyer his money.

Absolutely no on PayPal.

[Anonymous]

Also there's nothing wrong with using a card internationally. Millions of people do it internationally.