I think this comes under technology rather that general discussion.
I've used credit and debit cards all my adult life with no major issues.
Yesterday I had an issue that has made me wonder now.
I have a debit card with an issuer named WISE (Part of VISA system), great for travel and for two years no issues, yesterday I wanted to pay £10 to top up my mobile phone system. Used this card before, no issues but yesterday it failed authorisation. Checked my details, tried again and it failed. Eventually paid with my Mastercard but I've contacted WISE to ask the reason. Was told that the merchant (mobile company) does not fall within their risk appetite, whatever the hell that means, and they suggested I used another card. I pointed out I'd used the same card for the same amount to same merchant only weeks ago but they said they were unable to give details as it was a security issue.
Now I can understand a security issue to confirm it was an intended recipient but refusing to transfer my money to a payee of my choice seems a bit disconcerting.
I shall take this further as presently I can see no logic here, mobile company takes VISA, Mastercard and Paypal so obviously no issues there.
Geffers
Geffers
Well, that's a crazy story, Geffers. I can't believe all of a sudden your credit card wouldn't be accepted because of a merchant issue. I hope you get it all sorted out and get a better explanation.
I have had this one credit card since the last century and every several years there's a hiccup with it. I had to call them recently over an issue and ask them what's up and they said it wasn't a problem with my credit card but the merchant. Well, it sure put me through some issue dealing with it at the time, plus the time I had to spend on the phone with my credit card company.
I've had security issues whereby I have to confirm my ID - that I don't mind but refusal to pay a small amount that is confirmed as genuine is what annoys me.
Annoyingly I could get the hump and get a new card but same could happen with them, it is this digital control that is worrying, telling me who I can spend my money with.
I would be seriously annoyed too, especially since you have so much credit history with your card. There wasn't a reason to do that.
I watch news on digital currency updates too and yes concerning. We need physical currency on so many levels. Look at China and their social credit score. I think if the cameras catch you even j-walking you get fined too. Rick Perry (ex-governor of Texas) used to say he wanted government less relevant in our lives. That was almost 20 years ago. Look where we are now.
I think Reagan once said the most frightening words to hear are 'I am from the Government and am here to help'.
On the subject of digital I've just posted one about Amazon removing the option to save books to your computer, if you have a Kindle the ability to download books bought disappears on 26 February - not 28th so only 2 days, might be just one day, not sure if it stops on 26th or 26th is last day.
Yes, I do remember Reagan saying that. My dh and I watched the Reagan movie a few months ago. We enjoyed it and found the history fascinating as it filled in some gaps in what history we knew but lacked extra detail. We enjoyed the ending when the movie showed the pictures of the Reagan's in different scenes and we realized when the movie was made those scenes for duplicated as exact as possible.
Thanks for the head's up on Amazon and Kindle. I will tell my mom as she may not know. She's a Kindle user and she will freak if she loses her books. Grant it, it's a digital download but one did pay for it. Why in the heck is it okay for them to remove your downloads you paid for?
Re the card I have issues with, very little credit history as it is a debit, or charge card, not a credit card. Only had it a couple of years, was great for travelling as no fee for foreign transactions so convenient when I am in California.
As for your mum being a Kindle user, has she heard of https://www.gutenberg.org/ ? This is a free project whereby many of the classic books have been converted to ebook format and are FREE OF CHARGE. Thousands of books available and all free. Can easily be sent to your Kindle account.
There is also a great free book program that can view these files on any computer too so not restricted only to Kinde, the program is Calibre, available on Windows, Mac and Linux. https://calibre-ebook.com/ ; It can also remove the DRM from Kindle books so that they can be saved.
Geffers
It sounds like that was a nice card all around.
I'll let my mom know about Gutenberg.org and Calibre-ebook.com. Thank you!!