Coles Gift MasterCard - Can't Check Balance

Yumi on 22/08/2023 - 09:27

I imagine a number of people here have bought the discounted Coles gift MasterCards.
Has anyone been able to check their card balance though?

Trying to do it online, I've been getting 'A system error has occurred' message for weeks now. If I just ignore this and enter details, nothing happens when 'Continue' is clicked. Tested with multiple browsers and VPN endpoints.

They also present a phone number ((07) 5660 6022) and claim it's available 24/7, but I've tried calling it at various times of the day, over the span of several days, but always get "The number you have dialed is not accepting calls at this time".

Am I the only one experiencing this?

Financial Prepaid Card

Related Stores

Coles
Coles

Comments

  • Nugs on 22/08/2023 - 09:38
    +1

    doesn't help you now, but I called that number a few months ago with same problem, was able to get two cards 'reset' without drama
    .

  • JIMB0 on 22/08/2023 - 09:45

    Your specific card is blocked. You'll have to guess at the balance or call them.

  • AkuroPlays on 22/08/2023 - 10:30
    +1

    Your card has been blocked because the card provider thought something fraudulent has been going on (or your login details may have been stolen). Unfortunately, the only way you can find out your balance is by calling them to figure out your balance.

    • Yumi on 22/08/2023 - 12:47

      Thanks for the info.

      Unfortunately, the error shows up before any details are entered, which seems to suggest to me it's not anything to do with any particular card.
      And as mentioned, their phone number isn't accepting calls for me.

      • miwahni on 22/08/2023 - 22:26

        Try another browser?

        • Yumi on 22/08/2023 - 23:20

          Tried all the popular ones.

  • iChaseYou on 22/08/2023 - 10:52
    +1

    Check if your phone is on no caller ID. I had this issue and figured out it was because I was set to call from 'anonymous', which they don't accept. As soon as I switched it off, it worked!

    • Yumi on 22/08/2023 - 12:49

      That's a shame if that's the case (I've been using the phone at the office, which I believe hides caller ID).

      I'll try to find a phone with caller ID then, thanks!

  • Shadowsfury on 22/08/2023 - 11:34
    +1

    I constantly get the same error on my PC and phone (literally have like 100 of them I'd like to recheck the balance of to ensure I did actually use them like my spreadsheet tracker is claiming)

    I found for some reason, the site works fine on my work laptop so I've been checking on that device instead.

    Early on when I kept getting the error as well I even called them and they were confident their website was fine - I guess it actually was (in a way…its just a poor effort on their part to begin with)

  • singingwolf on 22/08/2023 - 11:53
    +1

    Works on my phone with no WiFi but not on pc on home network

    • Yumi on 22/08/2023 - 12:50

      So weird for a basic site to operate like that - you'd think it should work fine everywhere!

  • leiiv on 22/08/2023 - 14:25
    +1

    Sometimes it blocks the access from my wifi, but always work on my phone (cellular network). I think they do IP address filtering or something like that.

    • Yumi on 22/08/2023 - 16:40

      Good to know, thanks!

      Really crappy IP filtering system if so.

  • Buyer0fBargains on 11/01/2024 - 13:52

    Did you ever get this solved? I'm sick of sitting on hold calling them and getting no where.

    • Yumi on 11/01/2024 - 21:58

      I've kept this on a 'to do later' list for now, since the card expires in 2027.

      My calls never made it through, so couldn't advise you on the hold scenario unfortunately.

  • gstfree on 26/03/2024 - 11:45
    +1

    I got the same problem when checking balance. I tried multiple browsers and didn't help. Finally I tried on my work laptop with VPN connection and I can check balances/transactions. I guess it has something to do with IP.

  • robtheman on 02/04/2024 - 20:00
    Merged from Coles Mastercard Gift Card Balance - A System Error Occurred?

    Has anyone else tried checking the balance of their physical Coles Mastercard Gift Card balances lately?

    I have tried using VPN, and multiple browsers and still get the same error. Happens to multiple cards…

    • Sye on 02/04/2024 - 20:03

      @mapax

      Sye on 02/04/2024 - 20:03 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
      • mapax on 02/04/2024 - 20:35
        +5

        ADAGCHS

        • capslock on 03/04/2024 - 11:28
          -1

          Why do people keep upvoting this stupid acronym. It adds zero value to the conversation and it's not even funny.

  • Cluster on 03/04/2024 - 11:06
    +1

    I've been using these cards for over two years without problems, but recently bought five and the two I have used so far give me errors when checking the balance at mybalancenow.com

    Tried two different PCs, different browsers, a phone, and multiple internet connections. Same thing. Always an error.

    It's not an issue of a particular card being blocked. I just tried several others I have used, and checked, in the past. They all fail.

    EDIT: Fired up a VPN and switched to another country. Loaded the site fine, went through a CAPTCHA, put in my details and… the Continue button does nothing. No errors, it's just a dead site.

    Come on…. it can't be this hard to run a gift card checking site…

    EDIT 2: Tried yet another internet connection, from a PC that's never accessed the site before. Got a CAPTCHA on loading the site, and after entering CC details. A silly 'click the center of the flower' type image. I clicked and…. System Error.

    Has the card provider tightened security settings so far that if your computer checks a card balance more than a few times you get banned? Several checks from your IP? Banned. Failed the ridiculous image CAPTCHA that one time? Banned.

  • robtheman on 03/04/2024 - 12:37
    +1

    Yeah I'm wondering the same thing and was asking here in case there was an issue with their site. Have never had any issues in the past.

  • Cluster on 04/04/2024 - 12:10
    +1

    I've given up on the online system, and just call the number on the back of the card. The only drawback is it's impossible to get transaction IDs and dates from the phone system, which is something I need to chase up a missed credit card refund.

    I've generally been happy to buy the cards to save money when they're on special, but the failure of the online system and some businesses no longer accepting the cards has limited that.

    • BargainBoo on 06/04/2024 - 15:11

      I'm wondering if the online system is erroring in order to stop scammers using brute force hacking to minimise card info being stolen/used. The only other thing Coles Mastercard could do is start implementing pin numbers on their website.

      • Yumi on 07/04/2024 - 10:22

        That doesn't really make sense - if someone can brute force a card number, they don't need an info checking site to do it.

        But even if that was the case, it's absolutely horribly implemented if it's blocking legit users. Methinks it's just something thinking they're implementing "security", but have little concern or care about how to do it properly.

        • Cluster on 10/04/2024 - 16:38
          +1

          I think it's more a case of the company running the system not caring any more. The phone number on the cards doesn't work as of today. Try it. It's dead.

          Coles shouldn't be selling these cards.

          I have one card left to use and won't be buying any more until the situation improves.

        • BargainBoo on 17/04/2024 - 14:20

          It makes sense in that the cards have good expiry dates but credit may already be spent.

          • Yumi on 17/04/2024 - 20:32

            @BargainBoo: If the credit is already spent, scammers won't be interested in the card.

  • BargainBoo on 06/04/2024 - 14:41

    Having the same issue now. Have tried Edge, chrome, wifi and mobile data…same system error. Even tried on an old (but still valid) card with 12 cents left. Also tried calling the number and got the same message.
    EDIT: Just tried calling with Show Caller ID and managed to check my balance which was correct so I think the system error messages are to do with their system.

    • ozmaxz on 07/04/2024 - 00:17

      Can confirm same error from my end.

  • capslock on 07/04/2024 - 10:25
    +1

    I dont rely on that website anymore. For physical cards I write the remaining balance on the card itself with a Sharpie. For electronic cards I keep a spreadsheet with the remaining balance on it.

    I throw away the card when used. I dont use them for purchases which I might need a refund for.

  • Cluster on 10/04/2024 - 12:31

    I have just tried to call 07 5660 6022 to check my balance.(its worked before) but my mobile phone (Optus) says the number has been disconnected. WTF.

    I can't use mybalancenow.com on any device, and now their phone number printed on the cards doesn't work. This is beginning to smell like a company pulling up stumps and disappearing with our money.

    I need to check my balance as I'm expecting a refund back to the card. There is literally no way I can see if this is happening.

    EDIT: I have just sent an online customer complaint to Coles telling them about the problems. They still sell the cards in store, but at the moment unless you keep track of the balance with a pen on the card, it's almost useless.

  • robtheman on 10/04/2024 - 17:52

    I used it as recently as last night successfully… Just called the number then and got the "number has been disconnected" message. Not great…

  • Zippy7 on 10/04/2024 - 21:39
    +1

    Use a spreadsheet and record card number, exp date and CCV, then ask for receipts and keep the spreadsheet updated.
    Only call these peeps when you absolutely need to.

    • Cluster on 10/04/2024 - 22:33

      Yeah, I keep track of what I spend by writing it on the card, but I need to know if a refund was issued and how much. I cannot find out atm.

    • Yumi on 10/04/2024 - 22:54

      Unfortunately foreign transactions can complicate matters, as there's fees and you don't know the exact exchange rate used.

      But definitely do that for local purchases.

  • Cluster on 10/04/2024 - 22:33
    +1

    Coles have responded to my complaint about the cards:

    "We recommend getting in touch with our Customer Support Team directly by calling 1300 306 397 for further assistance."

    I'll call tomorrow.

  • Cluster on 11/04/2024 - 09:04

    I called the 07 5660 6022 number this morning and it works again. Okay, great. But strange that it was disconnected for more than 24 hours.

    • robtheman on 11/04/2024 - 09:50

      Good to know thanks for sharing.

    • SnoozeAndLose on 17/04/2024 - 20:58

      Although the number is working(looks like it only work in office hours 9-5) , the balance check is still not available.

  • BargainBoo on 20/04/2024 - 11:08

    Website is now working again for me.

  • CVonC on 10/05/2024 - 21:43

    Worked for me the other day but it's system erroring on every card and every device/connection since.

    I don't really care for the balance tbh, I just wanna set a pin 😑

  • sub102 on 01/08/2024 - 21:45

    Does anybody know how to check the balance of an older version of the coles mastercard gift card? the ones that had a 4 digit pin? I don't have the Card ID or Access code to enter here but have card details

  • test8888 on 27/08/2024 - 13:13
    +1

    none browser worked today, had to call to check balance.

  • patricia16 on 29/08/2024 - 20:03
    +1

    Everytime I got the 'system error has occurred' message, I cleared my browsing data on my Samsung phone, and then it worked - I was able to see my balance. I've done this a few times now, and its worked everytime

    • JIMB0 on 17/10/2024 - 07:46

      Incognito mode does the same.

  • r8 on 16/10/2024 - 14:40

    https://www.mybalancenow.com/ is not working any more me. It loads as a blank page. Anyone else experience the same issue?

    • Yumi on 16/10/2024 - 17:02

      The page seems to load fine for me. If you have a VPN, maybe try from that or a different server. Or try from 4G if you're not doing so already.

    • sabracad on 19/10/2024 - 14:33

      Just confirming also worked for me on mobile using mobile data.

  • r8 on 19/10/2024 - 19:09

    It worked for me on my mobile, but not in my pc with multiple browsers.

  • streetsmart on 20/10/2024 - 01:45
    +3

    i read a suggestion before to try in incognito mode,i just tried for one card and it worked.

  • duckworth on 27/11/2024 - 11:28

    These guys do NOT care about your security.
    Basically the site sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. They haven't fixed it for well over a year.

    So Coles and the company behind BalanceNow (incl Heritage People's choice limited" continue to sell insecure cards with fraud issues. So keep giving them your money!

    After trying a few times, I also suspect it has to do with how they implement cookies and whether their back-end is capable of handling the volume of queries. In other words if the system is overloaded the system spits a dummy.

    For a financial system it's certainly poorly looked after. Now the question is whether their data (your data) is also treated the same way.

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