card machines and charity

When I came to pay for the fuel at my local filling station and after putting my card in the reader, I checked the transaction before entering my pin as I always do. This time on a small screen there was a note saying that I was giving £5 to charity. I queried this with the cashier " O she said press that button and you will not donate". I wonder how many people are giving to this unknown charity without realising it. The cheek of it.
Anyone else found that their local filling station are doing this.

Re: card machines and charity

No not seen that, we usually use loyalty cards with our payments looking for discounts so would notice a huge extra like a fiver instantly.

Re: card machines and charity

No and I would be cross if they did. You shouldn't have to 'opt out' of giving to charity you should have to 'opt in'.

Re: card machines and charity

That is disgraceful and I am not sure it is legal!

Re: card machines and charity

I've never seen or heard of, anything like that.

I can't imagine the card companies being happy with the idea.

I'd like to know more

Re: card machines and charity

Wow...can they do that????!! You pop into a garage just to get petrol, and you've unwittingly opted in to donate to charity?

Thanks for the warning...we'll all have to thoroughly check the amount we're agreeing to pay.

Re: card machines and charity

Google hasn't come up with anything about this (or I haven't asked the right questions)

When you think that the banks are required to investigate and recompense for faulty purchases, iffy transactions etc, surely they would be flooded with complaints if this practice became widespread?

*shakes head in perplexed manner*

Re: card machines and charity

Sable, may I ask what filling station it was, was it a particular supermarket one?
I just thought if we knew, we could be ultra-careful next time we go. I think that idea is terrible, what a flamin' cheek.

I agree with others, I wouldn't have thought it legal, and like Alan says, we should 'opt in' not have to 'opt out.'

Re: card machines and charity

Sounds like a scam to me. I'd be inclined to check it out with either the manager or someone higher up the chain.

Re: card machines and charity

Googling it looks like Esso and the RNIB teamed up on this one, reads like it is opt in though not opt out.