And after a quick Google 4508 is a Visa Electron prefix!
Visa Electron is a debit or credit card available across most of the world, with the exception of Canada, Australia, Ireland and the United States. The card was introduced by VISA in the 1980s and is a sister card to the Visa Debit card. The difference between Visa Electron and Visa Debit is that payments with Visa Electron require that all the funds be available at the time of transfer, i.e., Visa Electron card accounts may not be overdrawn. Visa Debit cards, on the other hand, allow transfers exceeding available funds up to a certain limit. Some online stores and all offline terminals (e.g., on trains and aircraft) do not support Visa Electron because their systems cannot check for the availability of funds.
Last edited by Cath on Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
7 year IVA completed in December 2016 - there is light at the end of that tunnel
The only place I have ever had a problem using my card was online food shopping.....I called tesco and they have confirmed it is due to being a visa electron I have no problem using it in store or shopping on line for anything else....just wondered if everyone had the same problem with tesco online
I suppose it's fair enough if they can't check your balance.
However, I would have thought that online they would have been able to check your balance.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
You could check Natwest or Barclays, see what you could get with them.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
The Co-op Visa Debit is a full authorisation card, which means that the payment has to be authorised before the payment is taken meaning that you can't go overdrawn.
I've still got the Visa Electron and the only time I had a problem online was with M & S, although I know that Tesco won't accept it online.
A word of warning if you are shopping online - a friend of mine ordered her shopping from Asda using her debit card, but when she went to use it elsewhere it was refused. She knew she had the money there so she phoned the Co-op and they explained when you order with Asda they (Asda) reserve the money for 10 days so it's unavailable for you to spend. On the day the shopping is delivered they then take the payment, but the reserved money still isn't available until after the 10 days.
The basic NatWest Step account debt card is a Solo card.
The only place I have had a problem with this is pay at the pump petrol although you can pay in the kiosk.
I guess the new Co-op card doesn't look like a poor man's debit card, either Electron or Solo, not that that bothers me as I only found out the difference after I became insolvent.
Last edited by Cath on Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
7 year IVA completed in December 2016 - there is light at the end of that tunnel
I didn't have a problem with the Visa Electron to be honest. I used it in shops and on websites that didn't say they accepted it and it was only ever refused on M & S.
I have a co-op cash minder account and have had no problems at all. I like it because can still set up standing orders and direct debits and I feel like I still have a proper grown-up account!!! LOL!
It's good to be in control as scary as that can sometimes be. I keep a spreadsheet of everything that goes out so never have any nasty shocks over card refusal. When I get paid I 'take out' all the bills etc that I know will be coming out and then I can see exactly what is left - not much but I created it and I need to sort it.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley. http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk
I have the Step Account with Natwest and the solo card and it's always been well accepted and no problems whatsover, although I agree with everyone else the Co-op account is highly recommended on here.
IVA final payment left the bank on the 26th January 2013...looking forward to a debt free future.
So much praise for the step account but my dilemma is I have a debt with RBS so have to change.
My business account is with A&L who are now Santander and their customers will be crossed over to their systems next year, I have a debt with Santander also, I really don't know what to do as the only other small free business account I could get is Abbey and they are Santander also.....I think I need to speak with an accountant about my business banking but they cost you.
7 year IVA completed in December 2016 - there is light at the end of that tunnel
Cath - are you worried about changing your account because of future changes to the automated and electronic systems or have you been having problems with your account?
Kind regards,
Angela Rosler
Insolvency Manager
Helping people with their debt problems for nearly 10 years.
Contact me directly for free, impartial, confidential help and guidance.
