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.
One Facebook user on an Arnold Community page wrote: "Not sure if everyone knew I didn’t but Asda petrol station at Arnold reserves £100 now and not £1 anymore."
Another posted: "Has anyone had any problems with asda petrol station!! I went and got £40 worth of diesel and I’ve been charged £99 on my card!!!!"
One disgruntled user said: "Just to make you aware as I know the ASDA self service petrol pumps have caused controversy on Retford info sites months ago. This morning at around 8am I filled up there and cost was £40, so I thought!!!
"£99 authorisation payment needed."
Visa and Mastercard said the new rule was introduced as a "pre-check" to help customers manage their budgets to ensure they have enough funds for their fuel.
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