A single mum has been left 'panicking' about how she's going to pay for food and electricity after she £120 came out of her account when she filled up with £10 of petrol.
Mum-of-four Tina Harding visited the Esso Tesco petrol station, in Ardwick, at around 11.20am this morning (Friday, March 10) to top up her car. It was only later, when she got to the till at Home Bargains, that she realised that the modest £10 she planned to spend on fuel had actually cost her a lot more.
After her card was declined three times and she was forced to put her shopping back on the shelves, Tina returned to the petrol station but was told that she may have to wait 48 hours for the £120 'pre-authorisation fee' to be returned to her bank account. She tearfully told the Manchester Evening News: "It's left me in hardship. I can't even do shopping for my children.
READ MORE : GMP officer found NOT GUILTY of sexually assaulting colleague
"I've got no gas or electric. I don't get paid until Tuesday and I can't wait until then.
"I'm absolutely fuming. I'm a single mum with four kids and I've got no money over the weekend now. The kids are off on the weekend and I've promised them they can go to the cinema but now they can't do anything.
"My anxiety levels have gone through the roof and I'm panicking what I'm going to do. It's really unfair. It's not right."
Tina claimed that a member of staff at the petrol station told her that there were notices inside explaining the pre-authorisation policy, but she added: "It might be inside but if I'm just paying at the pump, I'm not going to see the notice, am I?"
Tesco explained that the fee is in line with with Mastercard and Visa requirements. The company added that the money should be released back to the account immediately but if this does not happen, customers are advised to speak to their bank.
A Tesco spokesman said: “We’re really sorry to hear about this. The funds that are reserved whilst a customer refuels at Pay at Pump should be immediately released back into the customer’s account. If this has not happened, we would recommend that the customer contacts their card issuer to resolve the issue.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Attorney General to consider whether sentences handed to Thomas Campbell's killers were 'unduly lenient'
- Escape to Freight Island staff told they'll have to reapply for their jobs as foodhall makes major change
- 'We're asking for help to bring our boy home to Manchester so he's not alone as he fights for his life'
- GMP traffic cops blame M62 snow gritting delays on 'illegal drivers'
- Four fire engines scrambled and road taped off after blaze at flat
