Has anyone else fallen foul of topping up their Oyster card on the tube?

[Boswellox]

I followed the instructions, pressed the confirm button, was distracted, and learned that doesn't actually mean the payment is confirmed, you have to touch your Oyster card again in order to properly confirm it. I only lost a £1 but wonder how many people have inadvertently lost more.

Yes!! Normally I do it online so it's all set - however I got into Kings Cross, put a £20 note in and didn't scan it again. No way was I losing this money, cue a 50 minute back and forth with station staff and I finally got my money back. Delayed meeting DP by this time who was worried as I had no signal to say what was happening. Sorted in the end but a nightmare, no idea how non English speaking tourists get on!

It does say, in big letters, that you have to tap it again....

Apologies for late response but thanks for reply Ozil10. I'm so glad you got your money back. I usually top up at the local newsagent. If I did it at the tube regularly I'd be more switched on. It's not a leap for people, especially tourists as you mention, to assume that pressing a confirm button is enough. I wonder how much extra cash Tfl make from this?

no idea how non English speaking tourists get on!

The machine has an option to allow you to select from a variety of different languages.

Um it's pretty clear that you have to tap again, just read the on-screen instructions!

Yes, but if you are new to it and are told to press a button that says confirmed you could be forgiven for thinking that's enough. Maybe they should call it Confirm Part 1 or something?

May I recommend auto top up?
Hook it up to your bank account using your Oyster account online and whenever your credit balance drops below £10 or£20 (up to you as I recall) it tops up your balance again with another £20.

If you have a contactless bank card then this works the same as an oyster. Just make sure you use the same card all the time. It's the same price as having an oyster. You can even register your card so if you get overcharged you can ask for a refund. So basically, no need to top up.

If you do it with a bank card you get it back. It hangs for a bit but then comes back in.

Thanks for new info, didn't know that. Am a bit of a cashaholic though.

Out of interest why do you use an Oyster Card? You get the same price for using a contactless debit or credit card.

Don't use an Oyster card; use a bank card. There's no financial benefit to an Oyster card and now that the FCA is very interested in all the "lost" money on cards that TfL has; I wouldn't be surprised if they changed the system.