Drivers are set to be slapped with new charges when filling up at Tesco pump stations, it has been revealed.
The supermarket giant is swapping its £1 pre-authorisation charge at its Pay at Pump facilities for a £99 deposit instead.
Teeside Live reports that the changes, which are currently being piloted, have been made because the rules have been changed by card companies including Mastercard, Visa and American Express.
If the trial is successful, it is understood the changes will be rolled out across the UK later this year.
It means drivers filling up will see up to £99 placed onto their card as a deposit for their fuel.
READ MORE -
This replaces the current system where Pay at Pump transactions were authorised by requesting a £1 transaction from card issuers before taking payment for the value of the fuel one to three days later.
The plans have prompted a lot of chat on social media from motorists alerting others to the changes - some annoyed at the charge.
"Just go inside and pay or pay cash or boycott them go elsewhere," said one Teesside commenter.
"I won't be using Tesco now then," said another.
"Simple answer don’t pay at the pump keep staff in work," said another.
Three years ago, Asda was forced to suspend a similar scheme after complaints from motorists.
However, this latest change will soon filter out to all pay at pump petrol stations.
Here's everything you need to know, what Tesco say and why the changes are being introduced:
What are the changes?
Previously, all Pay at Pump transactions were authorised by requesting a £1 transaction from your card issuer before taking payment for the value of the fuel 1 to 3 days later, says Tesco.
"Under new rules implemented by Mastercard, Visa and American Express, we must now request authorisation from your card issuer for up to £99. Once you’ve finished filling up, the final transaction amount is sent to your card issuer, and the remainder of any unused funds up to the maximum filling amount will be released back to your available balance. We’ll only ever charge you for the value of the fuel you’ve actually purchased."
A Tesco spokesman said: "Under these changes, the customer’s bank will pre-authorise £99, with the unused amount released back to their account within the hour."
Why are the changes being made?
The rules have been changed by Mastercard, Visa and American Express to help cardholders to keep control of their budgets in real time, says the supermarket.
What if I don't have £99 in my account?
Tesco says if your account balance is under £99, your card issuer should respond with the lower amount they’ll allow and the fuel pump screen will show the value you can fill up to.
Some card issuers might not allow partial authorisations below £99 and the advice then is to try another card.
Will my statement show a £99 transaction?
Tesco says it will only ever charge drivers for the value of the fuel they have purchased, but advise people to talk to their bank if they have concerns.
Where can I get more information?
The Tesco website points customers towards their card issuing bank and the Mastercard, Visa and UK Finance webpages.
What about other supermarkets and pay at the pump places?
The changes will be brought in to cover all pay at the pump petrol stations as they are being driven by card companies including Mastercard and Visa.
According to the Mastercard website: "The way you pay for your fuel at an automated fuel pump in the UK is changing. Your card issuer/bank will temporarily reserve up to £99 of your available balance while you fill up. Then when you have completed fuelling, you’ll be charged for the correct amount of fuel you have used and the remainder of any reserved funds will be released back to your available balance."
