I’m afraid there’s been some bad news in the last 48 hours. There are reports that Pathward-issued Visa gift cards are being declined when making large purchases at grocery store chains around the country.
They started being declined for money order purchases a couple of days ago at some grocery chains, with the issue spreading to other chains around the US. That therefore makes it seem like the change has been made on Pathward’s (formerly Metabank) end, rather than these different chains randomly deciding to take the same action within 24-48 hours of each other.
The (sort of) good news is that it sounds like it’s large purchases of $500+ that are being declined. If that is indeed the case, it means you could still liquidate $1,000 Simon Visa gift cards by buying a couple of money orders for $499.99 or less. That’s far from ideal as it doubles both the time and cost of liquidating the cards, but at least that’s still an avenue that’s open – for now.
It’s not only Visa gift cards bought from Simon Mall that are affected though. There are reports that $500 Visa gift cards purchased from GiftCardMall-processed sites (e.g. Office Depot, USPS, etc.) are being declined for transactions larger than $500. Buying money orders for less than $500 one at a time seems to be fine, but buying larger money orders allows for a successful swipe with your first card but declines on cards subsequently being swiped.
Thanks to Hilario & G Xh for the heads up about these issues. Let us know in the comments below if you have any additional data points where you’re getting declinations.
This is really bad as I just started buyinf from Simon volume. Haven’t trial run it through nearby stores yet
Even the $200 mc bought from od was denied when tried swiping as partial pay for large mo. First 2 worked fine then the rest of the transaction was denied with the “illegal transaction”message.
Same
confirming that 2 grocery chains in the northeast were taking metabank visas for MOs – one appears to still take up to $500 but not a second in back to back transactions. Other appears to not take them at all now
I’ve been getting $998 MOs with Simon GC in the Northwest forever. Now see I can only get one under $500. But “Not Authorized if I try to get a second MO, even if it is a different card. Does it lock out each day?
It does not lock out each day. I bought a $499 MO at store 1, repeated process at stores 2 (got rid of last $499 on SVGC), 3, 4 and then found myself at store 1 about 40 minutes after my initial visit. Got another $499 MO.
Great to hear! Thanks!
sounded that BHN now set a limit of only 1 trxn up to @ $500
Please be extra cautious when buying this. Kroger’s / Fred Meyer is no longer working in NW (Portland-Seattle area). Now failing under $500 (single MO for 498, single swipe with a fresh card). Liquidate as soon as possible if you can… R.I.P. MS with Simon VGCs.
I also tried today for $498 with fresh card. Got the dreaded “Not Authorized” immediately…..
Total crap.
250 cards don’t work either