It happens to everyone to fill up a little because of high gas prices at times, especially given the current environment. At Alken, Natjana had therefore decided to limit herself to a full 20 euros, but found herself 377 euros poorer.
At the time, this mother does not realize anything, but it is later in the day, when she is at the supermarket, that she is surprised by an “insufficient balance” on the payment terminal. Surprise for Natjana, since she had just saved up to go away for the weekend with her children…
A weekend that falls into the water?
“On my banking application, I noticed that the 377 euros had been deducted at the gas station. I was told when I went back that I would get my money back, but it could take up to four weeks. It screwed up my weekend and I don’t know how to explain it to my children, “laments the mother to our colleagues from the” Nieuwsblad “.
Febelfin explains: “Reserving a deposit when using a bank card outside a service station is something that is common throughout Europe. When you start to fill up, there’s no telling how full your tank will be. »
A case settled
However, the manager of the petrol pump is obliged to warn his customers by means of a sticker, indicating that an amount up to “X euros” can be reserved. This amount is a maximum of 375 euros maximum and depends on the amount available on your account. Why this amount? Because it is what fills the tank of a truck.
The reserved amount is normally released immediately or fairly quickly after filling up. “Due to a technical error, in this particular case, it took a little longer to process the transaction,” Beobank informs. “A few hours after refueling, the reserved amount was already released and only the refueling amount had been invoiced. »