Tesco customers are up in arms over a policy which sees £120 automatically blocked out of their bank account at the supermarket's petrol stations.
One customer, named Scott, claims he was gobsmacked after noticing the sizable dent to his account after he only filled up his bank with £15 of petrol.
Scott had visited the Esso Tesco in Ardwick Green, Manchester, and paid at the pump.
After checking his account following the visit this week, he was shocked to find £120 had been taken.
It comes after another driver was left "absolutely fuming" after she noticed the same amount had been taken from her account after visiting the same petrol station last week.
The idea of the pre-authorisation fee is that it blocks out £120 from your account so that you can afford to pay for fuel - it should then release the funds you haven't spent.
Scott told the Manchester Evening News that after he was unable to contact his bank, decided to drive back to the petrol station.
It was only then that he spotted a sign inside the shop warning customers about the charge, he said.
A sign at the cash desk said: "Please note, paying at pump with your card will automatically charge £120 then refund the difference back to your account from your fuel total."
"I was gobsmacked, the financial implications of this are huge," said Scott.
"What if there was a family filling up on their way to Tesco and only had £120 left in their bank and then went to try and do a food shop and couldn't pay?
"It is crazy. The sign is inside the shop so how is someone supposed to know about it if they pay at the pump? I’m lucky that I have access to funds until the money comes back into my account but it’s the principal."
Scott said it was the first time he had used that particular petrol station, and only topped up £15 as his petrol light had come on, and he didn't have time to find somewhere cheaper.
"I went to the pump where it’s pay at the pump only. I did the normal stuff and didn’t see any signs. I just put £15 of petrol in the car," he said.
"Around an hour later I was checking something on my internet banking and I saw that £120 had been taken out by pay at pump Ardwick.
"I couldn’t get through to my bank so I went back to the store and asked to speak to a manager. I spoke to a security guard who asked me if the amount was £120.
"When I said yes he said it was normal and that it should go back into my account shortly. I had a look around and that’s when I saw the sign inside the shop. I spoke to a manager who was brilliant but there wasn’t a lot he could do.
"He said it could take up to three days for the money to go back into my account but most people need that money now, it’s not a couple of quid it’s £120."
Scott said that despite being assured the money would be refunded to his account quickly, he had been left waiting over 12 hours and still hadn't received the funds.
Tesco explained that the pre-authorisation check is in line with with Mastercard and Visa requirements and is used across other supermarket forecourts.
The company added that the money should be released back to the account immediately but if this does not happen, customers are advised to speak to their bank.
A Tesco spokesman said: “We’re really sorry to hear about this. The funds that are reserved whilst a customer refuels at Pay at Pump should be immediately released back into the customer’s account.
"If this has not happened, we would recommend that the customer contacts their card issuer to resolve the issue.”
The system only affects pay at pump transactions - if you pay in the kiosk, you will still just be charged for what you have bought.
Mastercard said: "Although customers may notice in their banking apps an initial transaction for a higher ‘pre-authorised’ amount than the fuel they bought, this is very temporary, as almost immediately after the sale is made the exact value of fuel dispensed is withdrawn from their account, and any remainder of the pre-authorised amount is released for use.
"Should cardholders experience any issues or have any questions regarding this new process they should contact their bank."
