Problem with Pre-paid Debit Cards?

Gedalya · May 2014

I've talked to some people complaining that they have had trouble paying for their subscription with a pre-paid debit card; anyone else have an issue like this?

nerevarine1138 · May 2014

There can often be issues using pre-paid cards for subscriptions. The most common issue is that the card isn't registered to your name, so the company can't verify your address/name matches the card. The other issue that can come up is having the exact amount of the subscription on the card. Most companies have to ping a $1.00 charge to your card to confirm that there is an adequate balance, but they like there to be enough left after the fake $1.00 charge to cover the full cost of the subscription. If there isn't, they will say there's an inadequate balance.

DenverRalphy · May 2014

I'd venture a guess that the issue is that you can't "Pre-Authorize" a transaction with a pre-paid debit card. Meaning that you can't authorize the card for future charges. If the subscription is not yet expired, the card will fail because they're not actually charging your card until the product or service is to be delivered. Let the current subscription expire, then proceed with the purchase since it will be an instant charge, and it should work (note that I said "should").

Gedalya · May 2014

The people I talked to said the transaction went through, on the card end so the amount was deducted; but ZoS didn't recognize it. I'm thinking the processing is different for pre-paid cards rather than actual debit cards.

nerevarine1138 · May 2014

Gedalya wrote: »

The people I talked to said the transaction went through, on the card end so the amount was deducted; but ZoS didn't recognize it. I'm thinking the processing is different for pre-paid cards rather than actual debit cards.

Are they sure the charge isn't just pending?

Khandi · May 2014

My AmEx says that it is a foreign trans action so when I called AmEx the merchant number used by ESO is based in a foreign country (as opposed to USA)

From my email:

Foreign Transactions

The following purchase on your Blue Sky account was made in a different country or currency. If you do not recognize this transaction, please call the number on the back of your Card.

Transaction Date:

Fri, May 16, 2014

Purchase Amount:

$41.97

Merchant Name:

855 296 3170ELDRSCROLS

Transaction Location:

USA USA

Note: Amounts have been rounded to the nearest dollar.

Thank you for your Card Membership.

American Express Customer Care

liquidhope · May 2014

I use a pre-paid here in ontario its the money mart" visa titanium"and have no problems with it ,as it takes more personal info from you to identify you

jircris11 · May 2014

i use a pre-paid for this game. What i HAVE to do or they will not take it is make sure its.
A: in my name
B: has the same address
C: put more then the amount i will be paying on it.
It seems that pre-paid cards charge a fee to use them on line so if you have 15 exactly then you will not have enough.

wrlifeboil · May 2014

Khandi wrote: »

My AmEx says that it is a foreign trans action so when I called AmEx the merchant number used by ESO is based in a foreign country (as opposed to USA)

From my email:

Foreign Transactions

The following purchase on your Blue Sky account was made in a different country or currency. If you do not recognize this transaction, please call the number on the back of your Card.

Transaction Date:

Fri, May 16, 2014

Purchase Amount:

$41.97

Merchant Name:

855 296 3170ELDRSCROLS

Transaction Location:

USA USA

Note: Amounts have been rounded to the nearest dollar.

Thank you for your Card Membership.

American Express Customer Care

There might be something to that. I read a message in the huge billing thread that charges for Paypal are through PaypalEU even if you live in the U.S.

Khandi · May 2014

wrlifeboil wrote: »

Khandi wrote: »

My AmEx says that it is a foreign trans action so when I called AmEx the merchant number used by ESO is based in a foreign country (as opposed to USA)

From my email:

Foreign Transactions

The following purchase on your Blue Sky account was made in a different country or currency. If you do not recognize this transaction, please call the number on the back of your Card.

Transaction Date:

Fri, May 16, 2014

Purchase Amount:

$41.97

Merchant Name:

855 296 3170ELDRSCROLS

Transaction Location:

USA USA

Note: Amounts have been rounded to the nearest dollar.

Thank you for your Card Membership.

American Express Customer Care

There might be something to that. I read a message in the huge billing thread that charges for Paypal are through PaypalEU even if you live in the U.S.

Oh it's for sure....unless AmEx is not telling the truth. Their merchant account is not in the USA so it may cause some issues.