topic Google and Verification in Credit Cards

Google and Verification

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 18:49:38 GMT

So, I didn't know this was a thing.

Logged into Discover last night and saw a pre-authorization from Google. Hadn't used the card in almost a month, but I did order some pizza 3 hours earlier using it through chrome on my phone. I didn't use Google checkout or the autofill option, I entered the card manually as it wasn't even in the list. The pre-authorization was for "GOOGLE *SERVICES", which according to Google is a pre-authorization for Google fiber, YouTube Red, etc. Froze my card and called Discover this morning.

The contact info for Google that was given to me by Discover was for Google Fiber. Tried calling, but if you don't have an existing account or it isn't available in your area, you can't speak to someone. I googled Google customer service and got on their chat.

The rep told me that even if I wasn't using them as a proxy for payment, as long as autofill was enabled, they would run a verification charge to make sure the payment method was ok. I was like, wut? That's none of your business as you aren't part of this transaction. She stated that this was normal procedure. I've never seen it before, and 3 hours after the fact, and for one of their services?

Any of you notice this with your cards and Google? What about Apple pay or Samsung Pay?

Re: Google and Verification

blindambition — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 19:19:30 GMT

I had this happen with a purchase for Target I think. Purchase was made with Google Express on my Google Home. I had issue and disabled. That doesn’t surprise me from Google.

The only verification on Apple Pay is from Bank and vendor from which you purchased. Never Apple.

Re: Google and Verification

UncleB — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 20:12:11 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
So, I didn't know this was a thing.

Logged into Discover last night and saw a pre-authorization from Google. Hadn't used the card in almost a month, but I did order some pizza 3 hours earlier using it through chrome on my phone. I didn't use Google checkout or the autofill option, I entered the card manually as it wasn't even in the list. The pre-authorization was for "GOOGLE *SERVICES", which according to Google is a pre-authorization for Google fiber, YouTube Red, etc. Froze my card and called Discover this morning.

The contact info for Google that was given to me by Discover was for Google Fiber. Tried calling, but if you don't have an existing account or it isn't available in your area, you can't speak to someone. I googled Google customer service and got on their chat.

The rep told me that even if I wasn't using them as a proxy for payment, as long as autofill was enabled, they would run a verification charge to make sure the payment method was ok. I was like, wut? That's none of your business as you aren't part of this transaction. She stated that this was normal procedure. I've never seen it before, and 3 hours after the fact, and for one of their services?

Any of you notice this with your cards and Google? What about Apple pay or Samsung Pay?

I'm not saying the rep was wrong, but this is the first time I've ever heard of a browser doing a pre-auth on a credit card that I'm using with another company.

I can maybe see them having the browser do a Luhn verification to check the card entry (although I've not heard of this either), but certainly not running a pre-auth with themselves as the vendor... that's a step too far regardless.

I honestly suspect the rep was confused about what you were even asking about.

Re: Google and Verification

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 20:41:24 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
So, I didn't know this was a thing.

Logged into Discover last night and saw a pre-authorization from Google. Hadn't used the card in almost a month, but I did order some pizza 3 hours earlier using it through chrome on my phone. I didn't use Google checkout or the autofill option, I entered the card manually as it wasn't even in the list. The pre-authorization was for "GOOGLE *SERVICES", which according to Google is a pre-authorization for Google fiber, YouTube Red, etc. Froze my card and called Discover this morning.

The contact info for Google that was given to me by Discover was for Google Fiber. Tried calling, but if you don't have an existing account or it isn't available in your area, you can't speak to someone. I googled Google customer service and got on their chat.

The rep told me that even if I wasn't using them as a proxy for payment, as long as autofill was enabled, they would run a verification charge to make sure the payment method was ok. I was like, wut? That's none of your business as you aren't part of this transaction. She stated that this was normal procedure. I've never seen it before, and 3 hours after the fact, and for one of their services?

Any of you notice this with your cards and Google? What about Apple pay or Samsung Pay?
I'm not saying the rep was wrong, but this is the first time I've ever heard of a browser doing a pre-auth on a credit card that I'm using with another company.

I can maybe see them having the browser do a Luhn verification to check the card entry (although I've not heard of this either), but certainly not running a pre-auth with themselves as the vendor... that's a step too far regardless.

I honestly suspect the rep was confused about what you were even asking about.

No mistake. I was explicitly clear and she gave me a form to fill out. She then stopped and came up with that answer. I repeated myself multiple times that they were not involved in the transaction, but she claims that's the answer. I asked for the chat transcript to be emailed to me in case of future issues. I don't believe she's right, but if she is, that's an overstepping of boundaries by Google.

Re: Google and Verification

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 21:48:45 GMT

I actually had this happen last month. I added my Discover to the auto fill stuff on PizzaHut, but ended up not making the transaction. Then I noticed later that night I had the $1 and -$1 pending on my Discover. Took me awhile to figure out why though. lol

Re: Google and Verification

FlaDude — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 21:51:49 GMT

Thanks for the heads up. If this appears to be a regular thing, Chrome is getting uninstalled from my computers. Not that I don't believe the OP, but I'd like to see if anybody else has had this happen first though.

Re: Google and Verification

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 21:53:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I actually had this happen last month. I added my Discover to the auto fill stuff on PizzaHut, but ended up not making the transaction. Then I noticed later that night I had the $1 and -$1 pending on my Discover. Took me awhile to figure out why though. lol

Yeah, but in your case you added the discover. Mine was a one off transaction that had nothing to do with google.

Re: Google and Verification

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 21:56:12 GMT

@FlaDude wrote:
Thanks for the heads up. If this appears to be a regular thing, Chrome is getting uninstalled from my computers. Not that I don't believe the OP, but I'd like to see if anybody else has had this happen first though.

No offence taken. I created the thread to see if it's happened to anyone else. So far, everyone thats jad it happen, has had a reason for it to happen. Will be watching discover like a hawk for a few weeks.

Re: Google and Verification

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 21:56:13 GMT

It's sitting in my Discover card pending for me as well. I was going to contact Google too. Now it looks like I need to get rid of my favorite browser. I can't believe they do this.

Re: Google and Verification

Remedios — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 22:25:57 GMT

Why would you get rid of the browser?

Go to your settings, one of the options will be payment methods.

Remove your card.

The End.

Re: Google and Verification

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 23:11:20 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
Why would you get rid of the browser?
Go to your settings, one of the options will be payment methods.
Remove your card.
The End.

It's not the card in the list, it's the fact that autofill is turned on.

Re: Google and Verification

Remedios — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 23:22:38 GMT

Re: Google and Verification

Remedios — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 23:28:49 GMT

@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
Why would you get rid of the browser?
Go to your settings, one of the options will be payment methods.
Remove your card.
The End.
It's not the card in the list, it's the fact that autofill is turned on.

Turn it off

Re: Google and Verification

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 23:37:02 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
Why would you get rid of the browser?
Go to your settings, one of the options will be payment methods.
Remove your card.
The End.
It's not the card in the list, it's the fact that autofill is turned on.
Turn it off

But then I'll have to start memorizing my cards again.

Re: Google and Verification

shoegal — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 06:53:07 GMT

This happens quite often on my cards, Brian. I know is from Chrome and just let it go.