Why banks block your cards

BANKS are automatically blocking payments if you try to swipe your debit or credit card on chip and PIN machines.

The security measure came to light when Money Mail reader Michael Green, 72, took Yorkshire Bank to court after he had two credit card payments blocked.

When no one at Yorkshire Bank seemed able to tell Michael why his card was being stopped, he sued for breach of contract. The bank’s fraud expert explained the card was declined under a measure designed to stop a trick used by criminals.

Crooks damage the chip on a stolen card so it cannot be read, ask the retailer to swipe the card and forge the signature.

Yorkshire’s security expert said the card should start working again the next time the customer enters their PIN correctly.