When paying for goods by credit card, if your credit limit has been exceeded, the shop may confiscate your card - is that true or false?

Buck540

False...the store will not sell you the goods of course, and when calling the card in only if it comes back "stolen" then the store might confiscate it. Feb 18 05, 9:36 AM

McGruff

If the merchant is instructed to call before an authorization can be granted, and is told to confiscate the card, it is lawfully acceptable to do that. I have done it a couple of times. The cardholder, naturally, isn't too happy about it, and I have taken a pair a scissors and cut the card in half as instructed in front of them, which usually ends any further discussion. Most card companies award $50 for a returned card. As for simply being over your limit, the merchant will usually get a "decline" on the card, and just hand the card back and tell the cardholder it wasn't accepted. Feb 18 05, 9:43 AM

peasypod

And isn't it fun, McG, to get those scissors out? I've had the pleasure a few times as well, and earnt myself a couple $50 prizes as well, love it! Seriously though, as McG states, when the card is swiped, the authorization centre declares whether it is acceptable or not. Once declined you simply ask for another card or cash. The paper slip that comes out of the machine simply states for the person to contact their bank. No explanation is given when there are no available funds. If the card is deemed lost or stolen or simply out of date, then it's scissor time, a call to the authorization centre, and a call for heavy security to deal with the hysterics of the card-holder.... Feb 18 05, 4:22 PM

MaggieG 5

What do you do then, peasy, if the people have eaten a meal and can't pay for it? Feb 18 05, 4:40 PM

peasypod

There are ways and means to deal with them.... Feb 18 05, 6:13 PM

centerice

I won't do the dishes again. Feb 19 05, 12:42 AM

McGruff

It was a little dicey with this one fellow because he didn't think I had the right to take his card. People don't realize the card does not actually belong to them, it belongs to the bank which issued it. I imagine when you are instructed to seize a card, it is most likely a stolen card, so you do have to be careful. You don't know how that person got possession of the card and it may have been through more violent action than a simple purse-snatching. If they look really shifty you may be better off asking for an ID, write that information down, and then give the card back saying, sorry, it was declined. You can call the police after they leave. You won't get your $50 reward, but you won't get hurt either. Feb 19 05, 6:32 AM