Venting my FRUSTRATION about a debit card problem!

[MyleeSilverwings]

<p>I have played EQ1 and EQ2 for 10 years.  I spent 3 years as a guide in EQ1.  While millions deserted the SoE ship to play WoW and other games, I stuck and have been loyal.  I love this game!</p><p>I have always paid for my subscription(s) with a "too big to fail bank" Visa debit card!  Never had one single problem!</p><p>Two weeks ago, we changed banks to a local community bank, and received new debit cards.  I entered the new number and all required information to change my payment method information on my station account.  Lo and behold, I received an error saying my provider will not authorize this type of purchase.</p><p>Stunned, I called the new bank.  I was told that SoE verifies card information with a zero$ amount.  My bank will not accept zero$ verifiers due to rampant fraud issues.  My banker very kindly called SoE to verify that my account and card was active and in good standing.  SoE told my banker that was not good enough.  My banker asked them to simply submit a verifier with a ONE DOLLAR purchase amount and was told they refuse to submit a dollar verifier, and that the bank can just change their code to accept zero$ verifiers. </p><p>I have been on the phone with the bank, and SoE customer service, for the better part of this day!  Neither side will budge, I am stuck in the middle, and I am the one with the problem!!!</p><p>For the first time in 10 years, I am now forced to undergo the inconvenience of using game cards every month, and paying MORE for those game cards than a direct debit costs <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  There are no words to describe the bitter disappointment I feel at the severe lack of caring provided to a 10 year customer. </p><p>It is very possible that my time with Sony Online Entertainment has come to an end, all over their stubborn refusal to make an exception for a loyal customer!</p>

[TSR-DanielH]

<p>Greetings,</p><p>While I can certainly understand your frustration, please keep in mind that we were not given any option about converting to the new system.  The change was legally required and we are not allowed to work around it in any way.  I am not sure if the change was initiated by Visa or a change in the law, but the requirement came from outside of our company.  At the very least we would face a fine for each transaction that isn't initiated with the $0 authorization system.  I'm sorry that we were not able to change that for you.</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Tikatika@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I have played EQ1 and EQ2 for 10 years.  I spent 3 years as a guide in EQ1.  While millions deserted the SoE ship to play WoW and other games, I stuck and have been loyal.  I love this game!</p><p>I have always paid for my subscription(s) with a "too big to fail bank" Visa debit card!  Never had one single problem!</p><p>Two weeks ago, we changed banks to a local community bank, and received new debit cards.  I entered the new number and all required information to change my payment method information on my station account.  Lo and behold, I received an error saying my provider will not authorize this type of purchase.</p><p>Stunned, I called the new bank.  I was told that SoE verifies card information with a zero$ amount.  My bank will not accept zero$ verifiers due to rampant fraud issues.  My banker very kindly called SoE to verify that my account and card was active and in good standing.  SoE told my banker that was not good enough.  My banker asked them to simply submit a verifier with a ONE DOLLAR purchase amount and was told they refuse to submit a dollar verifier, and that the bank can just change their code to accept zero$ verifiers. </p><p>I have been on the phone with the bank, and SoE customer service, for the better part of this day!  Neither side will budge, I am stuck in the middle, and I am the one with the problem!!!</p><p>For the first time in 10 years, I am now forced to undergo the inconvenience of using game cards every month, and paying MORE for those game cards than a direct debit costs <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" />  There are no words to describe the bitter disappointment I feel at the severe lack of caring provided to a 10 year customer. </p><p>It is very possible that my time with Sony Online Entertainment has come to an end, all over their stubborn refusal to make an exception for a loyal customer!</p></blockquote><p>Believe it is set forth in the Credit Card Act of 2009, signed 05/22/09 - not sure if they moved the compliance date from 7/2010, but if not your bank is the one in the wrong, they have to accept a 0 balance verification charge</p>

[MyleeSilverwings]

<p>That is all well and good, Wingrider, and I appreciate your response.  However, I wonder why Netflix and iTunes still do the $1 verification, and they are certainly "online merchants" as well.</p><p>Obviously, SoE is not "required" to do the zero verification, they have CHOSEN to do so.</p><p>That is what is so disappointing!</p>

[Wingrider01]

<p><cite>Tikatika@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>That is all well and good, Wingrider, and I appreciate your response.  However, I wonder why Netflix and iTunes still do the $1 verification, and they are certainly "online merchants" as well.</p><p>Obviously, SoE is not "required" to do the zero verification, they have CHOSEN to do so.</p><p>That is what is so disappointing!</p></blockquote><p>Seem to recall the deadline for the 0 balance verification charge is mid 2010, some companies and banks planned ahead and are ahead of the deadline curve. SOE happens to be one of them. Unfortunatley the smaller financial instutions sometimes di not have the funding budgeted for the changes that where instituted by the current administration and where caught flat footed on the change to allow 0 balance verification charges.</p><p>Those institutions that you mentioned have until the deadline to modify their transaction verification system, just like the banks and cc issuers have the same deadline. Credit card issuers are taking their time to adhere to that part of the act, but they are sure not takeing any time to altrer their fee structure to their customers before the act takes full effect. Go figure</p>