Visa Debit Card Narrative Problem

neilmemo

[font=arial, sans-serif]We have a problem with Visa Debit transactions on our main business account. For anything other than Euro transactions, the narrative just shows the currency amount and exchange rate, but not the normal credit card narrative. This is the same on Business online and printed statements[/font]

[font=arial, sans-serif]Example narrative:[/font]

[font=arial, sans-serif]P2407GB145.83@.861065

(nothing else)

We need to get proper narratives for these transactions in order to prepare accounts correctly. Branch couldn't provide any help on the issue. Can you assist please?

[/font]

neilmemo

Just note, this is the same problem this user Savman was having here:

http://www.boards.ie/ttfthread/2056778981

Savman wrote: »

Something I've been noticing on the BOI statements, for any Visa Debit transactions abroad, say the US for example, the merchant or transaction detail never appears on statements.

Makes it impossible to track useage if I can't identify valid transactions and try spot anything untoward.

For example, if I book a hotel in the US on BoI Visa Debit, the following narrative appears;
POS3009US 87.00 @ 1.22431

That's it, no description, nothing!

Do this four or five times in quick succession and you quickly lose track of what's what. It could be weeks or months by the time somebody realises they've been defrauded, surely it wouldn't be hard for BOI to add some basic or even abbreviated narrative?

The only difference here is that this is on a business account, not a private account. Just to note also that Linda posted this reply on that thread:

Bank of Ireland: Linda wrote: »

Hi Savman,



When details come from a retailer we will update a customers account, we have no control over which details a retailer will send us.

I hope this answers your question.
Thanks
Linda

This is nothing to do with a retailer not providing information. In fact, for all of these suppliers/retailers, the retailer information appears correctly if we pay via our Visa Credit Cards.

The problem is that this exchange rate info is being appended to the start of the narrative - e.g. "P2407GB145.83@.861065"
(that it the date 24th of July, the amount in the local currency £145.83 and the exchange rate 861065).

The data is then truncated to 21 (?) characters by BOI's computer systems.

Also, please not this is not an issue of these narratives being updated later - many of these transactions are over 2 months old.

This is a serious issue and makes Visa debit cards an ineffective means of payment and is entirely contrary to the advertised benefits on BOI's website:

The new Visa Business Debit card allows you to access money from your Business Current Account wherever you are in the world ...

Benefits for you:

Greater worldwide acceptance
...
Greater convenience when you shop

Right now we are attempting to go through around 40 of these transactions, many incidental payments for £10 or £15 and we have absolutely no info on what the transactions are for. We would appreciate a resolution from BOI and strongly recommend BOI changes how these transaction narratives are composed.

Bank of Ireland: Billy

Hi neilmemo, 

Thanks for your post. 

With Visa Debit transactions abroad, where there is an exchange rate involved, we are obliged to include the information you mentioned in your example.

As there are only so many characters that can be used in a transaction narrative, it is not possible to display further information. 

It is possible for Customer Services in your branch to request further details on a transaction.

Your Relationship Manager may be able to offer alternatives however this is something you would need to discuss with him/her. 

Thanks

Billy

finnteme

Bank of Ireland: Billy wrote: »

Hi neilmemo, 

Thanks for your post. 

With Visa Debit transactions abroad, where there is an exchange rate involved, we are obliged to include the information you mentioned in your example.

As there are only so many characters that can be used in a transaction narrative, it is not possible to display further information. 

It is possible for Customer Services in your branch to request further details on a transaction.

Your Relationship Manager may be able to offer alternatives however this is something you would need to discuss with him/her. 

Thanks

Billy

Is the character max something that is BOI specific, PTSB dont have this issue, just checked my latest transactions abroad.

Tow

finnteme wrote: »

Is the character max something that is BOI specific, PTSB dont have this issue, just checked my latest transactions abroad.

It is BOI specific, other banks print the exchange details on the next line.

neilmemo

Bank of Ireland: Billy wrote: »

Hi neilmemo, 

Thanks for your post. 

With Visa Debit transactions abroad, where there is an exchange rate involved, we are obliged to include the information you mentioned in your example.

As there are only so many characters that can be used in a transaction narrative, it is not possible to display further information. 

It is possible for Customer Services in your branch to request further details on a transaction.

Your Relationship Manager may be able to offer alternatives however this is something you would need to discuss with him/her. 

Thanks

Billy

Hi Billy,

Many thanks for your reply. I have requested further details on 41 transactions from Customer Services at our branch via our Relationship Manager as per your advice.

I will update here.

By the way, regarding alternatives you mention, this seems intriguing. Would you be able to elaborate on this?

Bank of Ireland: Linda

Hi neilmemo,

Glad your Relationship Manager was able to assist in this instance. As Billy mentioned, you would be best to contact your Relationship Manager to discuss any alternatives that may be available to you. We cannot offer advice through this facility.

If there is anything else we may be able to assist with, please let us know.

Thanks
Linda