A UK couple's quest for a second-hand electric car turned into a gruelling 12-hour ordeal after their bank unexpectedly blocked the deal, citing suspected fraud. The lengthy process had already seen the pair spend hours at a local dealership, negotiating with salesperson Max and debating the merits of various optional extras.
The buyer had been keen to avoid a repeat of a negative experience in Exeter six months prior, where they were initially dismissed as unserious buyers. But despite their clear intent this time around, they found themselves facing another round of frustrating delays at the dealership. The wife declined a long list of optional extras, and the couple felt 'held hostage' during extended waiting periods, wondering whether Max was genuinely consulting a manager or simply taking breaks.
Just when it seemed like the deal was finally agreed upon – with a deposit paid for a car they had only viewed online – the bank's security protocols kicked in, flagging the payment as potential fraud. The internet address from which the transaction was being attempted was deemed unusual by the bank's security measures, prompting a call to the bank's fraud department.
The buyer eventually managed to unblock their card after answering a series of questions from the bank's fraud department. A representative explained that the transaction was flagged due to its origin from a different internet address than usual – implying that even leaving the house to make a payment could trigger such an alert.