Tesco shoppers have hit out at the supermarket after noticing that a substantial sum had been taken out of their bank accounts at the petrol station.
A new policy means that motorists filling up at the forecourts are now automatically charged £120 - regardless of how much they spend at the pump - which is then refunded "almost immediately", according to the retailer. The policy is being rolled out at forecourts across the UK due to the rising cost of fuel and is intended to stop people driving off without paying, or filling their car with more than they can afford.
One customer told the Manchester Evening News that he was left "gobsmacked" after spotting the charge shortly after visiting an Esso petrol station and filling his car with just £15 worth of petrol. After being unable to contact his bank, the driver headed back to the forecourts where he spotted a sign inside the shop warning customers about the £120 sum.
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The sign at the cash desk read: "Please note, paying at pump with your card will automatically charge £120 then refund the difference back to your account from your fuel total."
The customer was angered by the policy, telling the MEN: "The financial implications of this are huge. They shouldn’t be putting this in in the first place. Have more security at pumps if that is the issue. 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?"
Other shoppers have accused Tesco of "robbery" over the charge, with another motorist left "absolutely fuming" when the same thing happened to her after she topped up just £10 at the pump. The single mum said she was told that she may have to wait up to 48 hours for the £120 to be returned to her bank account.
She said: "It's left me in hardship. I can't even do shopping for my children. I've got no gas or electric. I don't get paid until Tuesday and I can't wait until then.
"I'm a single mum with four kids and I've got no money over the weekend now," she added. "The kids are off on the weekend and I've promised them they can go to the cinema but now they can't do anything.
"My anxiety levels have gone through the roof and I'm panicking what I'm going to do. It's really unfair. It's not right," the mum fumed.
Tesco explained that this fee is in line with Visa and Mastercard requirements. The supermarket added that the money should be released back into the customer's bank account immediately, and advised them to contact their bank if this is not the case.
A spokesperson for Tesco 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."
Mastercard told The Sun: "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."
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