Hi there,

IN SHORT: please could someone find a geographical alternative for 0845 607 6570, which is the NatWest Online purchases Scam Team.

DETAILS: I recently got blocked from making any online purchases with my NatWest card. (Taking cash out, and online banking e.g. transfers etc., still work fine.)

How it happens is this: at the NatWest 'Verified by Visa' stage, right after you've put all your card details in and have clicked 'Buy', normally you have to type in a password or a few letters from your password. However, now that my card has been blocked, the box says something like this instead:

'Purchase cannot be completed at this time... For help please contact us at 0845 607 6570'.

Other internet searches don't yield any alternatives for this number, but they say that the number is for the NatWest Scam / Fraud team. I've phoned it before and it links me to a call centre with an Indian speaking where you can go through a process to unblock your card.

I'd love a geographical alternative this time, because I'm on a year placement abroad in China, and would appreciate doing this as cheaply as possible!

Interestingly nowhere on NatWest.com does there seem to be this number, which seems to tie in with it being part of their very specific online purchases team, as opposed to any of their online banking services.

Many thanks!
hingie