Barclays customers 'overcharged' £120 when buying common item at the supermarket

Barclays customers have reported being overcharged £120 when buying a common item.

Unhappy customers have complained to the bank over social media about the hefty extra charges showing on their statement after buying fuel. One of the cases was at a Tesco petrol station.

The issue appears to relate to the pre authorisation system, when buying fuel at the pump. This is where you have to pre authorise a set amount, such as for £120, before filling up to determine your actual bill.

One customer said: "When paying for fuel £120 was taken as well as the £40 fuel put in, the £120 is still showing three days later as pending and I cannot use the money. This should be back in my account, how do I fix this ASAP please."

Barclays said in response: "I appreciate it's a lot of money to be without and of course we don't want you to be without access to your funds. There's normally an expiry date usually around ten working days when the payment is pending, have you spoken with the company?"

The person responded to say they had spoken to the garage only to be told the problem would be to do with the bank. The customer asked: "Why on this occasion has the pending amount not been returned as it has been the previous several hundred times? I paid on debit card and technically Barclays have taken £160 of my money that should only have been £40."

Barclays encouraged the person to send the person to send them a message and to tell them in their message if they have the Barclays or Barclaycard app.

Another customer said they had filled up at a Tesco petrol station, where they had paid £16 for their fuel. Yet they also had a pending transaction for £120 showing on their account.

Barclays responded to explain the rules that apply for the supermarket. The group said: "Tesco pay at the pump system requires a temporary pre-authorization for up to £120, but you will only be charged the final amount for the fuel you purchase after you finish filling up.

"So they will deduct the £16 and credit you with the outstanding amount from the pending transaction." The Tesco website has guidance about what to do if you are incorrectly charged the £120.

The advice says: "There may be a small number of occasions where your card issuer doesn’t update your balance in real time. We’ll only ever charge you for the value of the fuel you’ve purchased, but if you do have concerns, please talk to your bank for further details."

A third Barclays customer reported a slightly different issue. They claimed they had filled up on Sunday, September 7, and a correct £50 payment for their fuel went out on the Monday, September 8, yet another £50 amount was still showing in their pending on Thursday, September 11, and the second amount appeared to be deducted from their balance.

Barclays advised the customer to send them a message with their details and whether they were using the Barclays or Barclaycard app, so they could get help with the issue. Barclays has been approached for comment.

Tesco said that preauthorisation at its Pay at Pump stations is in line with the requirements for Mastercard and Visa. The unused amount from the £120 is meant to be released back into the person's account immediately.

The supermarket said that, in a small number of cases, it can take longer for the funds to release but this is not the responsibility of Tesco, and you should take up the issue with your provider.