Confused motorists are now having to pay a £99 pre-authorisation fee at supermarket forecourts across the country. The rule was introduced by companies such as Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's who decided to enforce the changes back in February - but not everyone was aware of the rules.
Up until now, drivers who paid at the pump were charged with a £1 transaction for the authorisation fee before the payment for the value of the fuel was then taken between one and three days later. The new rule was introduced last year by Visa and Mastercard, which means that your bank can reserve £99 of your balance temporarily while you fill up.
The actual amount will be deducted once the transaction is complete, which leads to the larger pre-authorisation fee being cancelled and the reserved funds transferred back into your account.
