Heritage Bank - Revert back Card usage as per agreement (Coles Prepaid Mastercards)
Heritage Bank - Revert back Card usage as per agreement (Coles Prepaid Mastercards)
Why this petition matters
Coles ran multiple promotions in the last few months (pls see details below) with a view to help households during challenging times with heightened spending and ongoing cost of living pressures.. however the issuer Heritage bank has another plan to take full advantage of consumer funds.
(a) Promo period: 27/12/2023 to 2/1/2024 - https://freepoints.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/27-dec-2023_c_44.jpg
2000 Bonus Flybuys Points (Worth $10) on $100 & $250 Coles Mastercard Gift Cards ($5 & $7 Fees Apply) @ Coles
(b) Promo period: 29/11/2023 to 5/12/2023 - https://freepoints.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/29-nov-2023_c_41.jpg
$13 off $250 Coles Mastercard ($244 after $7 Fee)
(c) Promo period: 15/11/2023 to 21/11/2023 - https://freepoints.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/15-nov-2023_c_44.jpg
2000 Bonus Flybuys Points (Worth $10) on $100 & $250 Coles Mastercard Gift Cards ($5 & $7 Fees Apply) @ Coles
(d) Promo period: 6/9/2023 to 12/9/2023 - https://freepoints.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/6-sep-2023_c_45.jpg
2000 Bonus Flybuys Points on $100 & $250 Coles Mastercard Gift Card ($5 & $7 Fees Apply) @ Coles
(e) Promo period: 16/8/2023 to 22/8/2023
10% off $250 Coles MasterCard Digital Gift Cards ($7 Purchase Fee Applies) @ Giftcards.com.au
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As per Heritage Bank's Card holder agreement(as at the time of sale) below are the card limitations and it clearly states that the card may be used to purchase goods or services everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted as long you do not exceed the available balance on the Card(with exclusions of gambling, automated fuel dispensers etc. - listed below)
Just before the holiday season, from 21-Dec-2023, Heritage Bank has blocked merchants such as ATO, Private health insurance companies(Bupa) etc.. These merchants are considered as "Services" and no where as per the agreement it states that Heritage Bank has the right to change the merchants after they are sold. Heritage Bank would like to place restrictions on the usage of card which is violation as per AFCA rules there by holding on to the funds for a longer period of time.
If Heritage would like to place restrictions on the usage, they should be releasing a new card series and update the card agreement clearly stating the Card limitations rather than running a nationwide promotion and illegally restricting the usage of these cards.
Request AFCA/Heritage Bank to look into this matter as soon as practical and revert the usage as per the Card holder agreement.
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5. Card limitations. You cannot use your Card to obtain or redeem cash (for
examples at ATMs, Point of Sale (POS) Device, or by any other means. You cannot request an additional Card for another person. The Card may be used to purchase goods or services everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted as long you do not exceed the available balance on the Card. The Card cannot be used at an automated fuel dispenser (‘pay at the pump’). Some merchants may choose not to accept Mastercard Prepaid cards. Merchants or other providers may impose limits on the use of your Card. We are not responsible if a merchant refuses to accept a Card. The Card itself may not be returned to any merchant for a refund, except where required by applicable law. You may not use your Card for online gambling or any illegal transaction. You may not make pre-authorised recurring or instalment payments from your Card Account For security reasons, we may limit the amount or number of transactions you can make on your Card. You do not have the right to stop payment of any transaction effected by use of your Card or Card details:
Link to card holder agreement(a paper document in the packaging) in the Physical cards(We have retained this version of document as they may take this down):
https://www.fscarddisclosures.com/C1951_1701_VMC_Coles_Australia_2022_CHA_6x9_v1.pdf
Link to card holder agreement for both Physical and Digital cards updated on 15 Nov 2023(We have retained this version of document as they may take this down):
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This is not the first time Heritage has done this. Please refer to the previous change petition where Heritage tried to do the same thing and they have reverted back the usage of cards as per the terms after raising multiple complaints with them - https://www.change.org/p/heritage-bank-revert-back-card-usage-as-per-agreement-coles-prepaid-mastercards?recruiter=1284239193&recruited_by_id=179d31d0-5c8f-11ed-aefe-7f6ebd86de11&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard&utm_medium=copylink