Received a new Standard Chartered credit card yesterday.
Yes. Due to a promotion: RM188 was pre-loaded into the card by Standard Chartered bank. Means I can literally spend Rm188 without paying. The RM50 Government Tax will be covered by another RM50 (also pre-load by bank). If I keep the card for two months, by the third month, another RM50 will be loaded into the card. Not a bad deal, I guess.
This morning when I was at the petrol station, I decided to try this card for the first time. No hitch. Everything has gone smoothly.
I went for my breakfast after that. Even before I sat down, I received an SMS: A Rm200 transaction was done with your credit card.
Damn! I only poured Rm55 of petrol. So who did the illegal transaction? My card was cloned on the first time it was used? What’s the probability?
With a resentful tone, I called up the Standard Chartered helpline: I received an SMS stating that a RM200 transaction was done using my card.
The lady answered pleasantly: Did you went to a petrol station just now?
Surprised, I asked: Yeah. So?
The lady: Standard Chartered bank has a protocol. Whenever you pumped petrol, Standard Chartered bank will withhold Rm200 from your card. The instance that the particular petrol station put up his claim, the RM200 will be released.
Huh? What a cumbersome protocol.
Whatever it is, I was relieved that my credit card was not cloned. Phew.
I think this is the same procedure with debit card too.. If I use my debit card to swipe at pump, I will be charged with RM200 first, before the deduction 3 days later.. but I can actually swipe at the counter, then it will charge the actual amount..
why must the bank hold $200 if you use for petrol? too much cheating or scam ?
Hanneng, I seriously have no idea