As of the 27th Google Checkout will stop accepting Maestro cards. Maestro is run by Mastercard. Mastercard credit cards are unaffected and can still be used. There are more than 500 million Maestro debit card holders around the world and so this is a significant move from the Googleborg.

It’s odd that Google would want to ditch the card. It’s also odd the Google are doing this at such sort speed. In the last week they’ve been sending out this email.

Thank you for using Google Checkout, the fast, secure way to shop at stores across the web.

As of 27th July, Maestro cards will no longer be accepted as a payment method by Google Checkout. You are receiving this notification because your default card is a Maestro card that will no longer be supported.

To ensure that your Checkout account is ready for purchases the next time you shop, you will need to select a new default credit/debit card. Accepted payment methods are listed at http://checkout.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en-uk&answer=105916

You may update your payment information now by clicking ‘Edit payment methods’ after signing in to your Google Checkout account at http://checkout.google.co.uk

If you prefer, you also have the option of updating your payment information when you make your next purchase.

While you will be unable to place new orders with Maestro cards, refunds and chargebacks for previous orders will be unaffected.

We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any further questions, please visit our Help Centre at https://checkout.google.com/support/?hl=en-GB

Kind regards, The Google Checkout Team

As savvy Cashzilla readers will know there are certain risks in storing too much money in sites like PayPal. If someone tricks you out of your password or the company decides to freeze your account then you’re in trouble.

Purchases made this way don’t have the same sort of protection as direct credit card purchases either. Most of all; if you store money in PayPal then it’s not in the bank earning interest.

Related personalfinanosaurus posts:

1. Google Finance – a really serious article for once. Sorry.
2. Don’t let the bank use the postal strike as an excuse to take your money
3. Warning – credit cards can damage your wealth

This call by a major political party came in a white paper on the subject of banking reform, not only criticised bank charges, but also stated they would force credit card, overdraft and mortgage charges to be clearly visible to bank customers.

According to the Tory’s, “There have been numerous examples of unfair treatment of consumers – the mis-selling of payment protection insurance and unfair bank charges.”

Alan O’Sullivan, banking and credit card correspondent at This is Money commented: “The fact that a major political party has come out and branded bank charges unfair should be celebrated although, given the legal case on charges is now in its latter stages, they could have stepped in sooner.”

As the legal row over the legality of bank charges for unauthorised overdrafts hit the House of Lords last month, the additional pressure from a mainstream political party will hopefully provide a boost to the calls by consumer groups who had hoped the banks would accept the appeal court’s original ruling.

As the chief executive of Which?, Peter Vicary-Smith, said to the Guardian last month: “It is disappointing that nearly two years since this saga began, little has changed for the millions of consumers being hit with these charges.”

He added: “If you’re struggling with basic living costs such as rent and utility bills then you may be eligible to get your claim fast-tracked under the terms of the waiver. The FSA must take action against any bank ignoring the financial plight of its customers.”

Now if only the government would listen and lodge their support too.

Growl.

Related personalfinanosaurus posts:

1. Tories want bank charges compensation repaid ‘quickly and fairly’
2. Great news for consumers on unfair bank charges
3. Bank charges come back into legal spotlight following court ruling