Barclays Customer Surprised by £120 Charge After £16 Fuel Purchase

A customer of Barclays encountered confusion after discovering a pending transaction for £120 on their bank statement, despite only spending £16 on fuel at Tesco. The individual expressed their concern through social media, noting that while the £16 charge had gone through, the larger amount remained unreturned, resulting in an unexpected overdraft.

In response to the customer’s inquiry, Barclays clarified the situation regarding the supermarket’s pay-at-the-pump system. The bank explained that the system requires a temporary pre-authorization of up to £120, which can lead to such discrepancies. Customers will ultimately be charged only for the fuel purchased, with any excess amount credited back after the transaction is finalized.

Understanding Temporary Authorizations at Fuel Pumps

According to the bank, the process involves initially holding a larger sum to ensure customers have sufficient funds to cover their fuel costs. Once the filling is complete, the actual amount spent—such as the £16 in this case—is deducted, and the remaining balance from the pre-authorization is released back to the customer’s account.

The situation is not unique; many customers may experience similar issues when using pay-at-the-pump services. A statement from the Tesco website outlines that card issuers may not always update account balances in real time. They reassured customers that the final charge will reflect only the fuel purchased.

For those using the pump, it is important to note that the maximum fill-up amount is capped at £120. However, paying at the kiosk does not impose a spending limit. If a customer’s account balance is below £120, the pump screen will indicate the maximum fill-up amount available.

Payment Options and Guidelines

Customers should be aware that certain card issuers may not allow partial authorizations below £120, necessitating alternative payment methods. Most chip and pin cards are acceptable for payments at the pump, with the exception of Visa Electron. Additionally, fuel cards such as fuelGenie, UK Fuels, and Keyfuels can also be used, while contactless payments are not permitted at the pump. If opting to pay at the kiosk, the contactless limit is set at £100.

For anyone facing discrepancies in their bank statements, both Barclays and Tesco recommend reaching out to the respective bank for further clarification. As consumer reliance on automated payment systems increases, understanding the nuances of how these transactions work becomes vital to avoid unexpected financial surprises.