Bank Fraud :(

[supraflyguy]

Just spent 3 days working away from home in Aberdeen and wondering why my bank card had been declined. Just got home to check my banking online, and there we are money taken out in ARGENTINA!

Phoned the bank and told them that the money had been taken out and was told that I had taken it out of a hole in the wall in Argentina! Would be nice to visit there one day, but that day is a long way off!

Anyway the upshot is the fraud squad are onto it and are 'proposing' to the refunds department I get a refund. But I have no money and I need to wait for a new bank card

[binley100]

OMG not good. Surely if you can prove to the bank you haven't been to argentina they should give you your money back.

[Florence Fennel]

Sorry to hear that, hope you get some cash back very soon.

[basketcase]

OMG not good. Surely if you can prove to the bank you haven't been to argentina they should give you your money back.

And then change your bank!

Terrible news - hope it gets sorted out soon...

[quark1]

Something similar happened to me years ago - fortunately at the time I had NEVER had any financial dealing or instruments with the company concerned. I could also prove that at the time of withdrawal/s of cash I was doing that most boring of tasks - the weekly shop!

Obviously had to report to police and despite complete innocence fely very uncomfotable speaking to police. African based gang managed to defraud card comp of some ten grand+. You and I still pay by the by with higher charges/interest etc.

Around 2-3 years later I got a call from one of the officers and thought they'd caught the gang - sadly not -and they were closing case. Seems its one of the easiest ways to perpetrate fraud with one of the lowest possible chances of capture and charge. Sad but true.

I even had a window of opportunity to 'possibly' jump some of the perps when returning from Africa as I had located travel details (on card) - but the police had a graver crime on their hands in my area at the time - a rather brutal murder which needed urgent clear-up for clear reasons.

Hope you get sorted soonest - and no matter how uncomfortable the interviews may get - YOU know you've done nothing wrong and I'm sure the police/investigators will identify that early on and put you at your ease.

Not nice - but hope things OK soon.

[supraflyguy]

And then change your bank!

Terrible news - hope it gets sorted out soon...

Around 2-3 years later I got a call from one of the officers and thought they'd caught the gang - sadly not -and they were closing case. Seems its one of the easiest ways to perpetrate fraud with one of the lowest possible chances of capture and charge. Sad but true.

Basketcase - This is the 2nd time it has happened, first time was 4 years ago and I changed my bank 2 years ago

quark1 - The first time it happened to me, I asked the bank whether I should report it and they said it was hard to capture and charge so they said it was not worth reporting. I did anyway but heard nothing back.

I'm going to the police station to report it tomorrow, and I can prove I wasn't in Argentina!

[teakdesk]

I'm going to the police station to report it tomorrow, and I can prove I wasn't in Argentina!

But can you prove you haven't divulged your card details to anyone?

That's what the banks use as their get-out so they don't need to refund you!!



BTW it is worth everyone checking their statement and reporting anything suspicious.

I've just had an entry on my credit card for 57p - yes, 57 pence - from the USA. OH says ignore it but I made two phone calls to the card company and it was immediately agreed as fraud; card canceled and 57p refunded.

Seemed silly, but I've now found out that gangs put a few small amounts through hoping you will not report it, then they hit you for a large amount and because the card company have a "good" history of trade with that company in the USA they pay it without any questions asked!!!

And because you didn't report the earlier small amounts you come under suspicion and will be investigated.
You have been warned!

[supraflyguy]

Well I suppose there is no way of proving that... I didn't realise the banks used that excuse. Thanks for letting me know!

[bobleponge]

Its never happened to me, and with the amount of countries I use my cards in, I'm really surprised. I have tried to order stuff online before, and been refused by my bank, always when I'm in Africa, but never (big touch wood) had my card cloned etc.

I'm sure it will be very easy to prove you werent in Argentina, your passport will show that, so I hope it gets sorted very quickly and you get your money back with the least possible delay.

[rana]

In the reverse situation, when traveling outside of Europe for extended periods I always let the bank know which countries are to be visited and when. This aids the bank in determining fraud and prevents them from stopping your cards in error (which to my great inconvenience happened to me once).

[piskieinboots]

It's a horrid situation to have to deal with - I do feel for you

In defence of the banks, I have to take money for credit card payments for a client of mine, I do this via an online banking system - the company (my client) is very reputable and the customer has given their permission for me to take the funds.

However, approx 30-40% of the card payments I try to obtain are refused by the bank - this isn't because of the customer not having enough funds, it is always (without exception) due to the bank protecting their money. A quick call from customer to bank and back to me is all that is needed.

Doesn't help your situation SFG but it's always good to give a good word if possible. I hope you are sorted very soon and good luck.

[supraflyguy]

Hi guys

Just an update. Got a text message, yes a text message(!) from the fraud department telling me that they were pleased to tell me that my account was refunded today.

The only downside is now I've got to wait until next week for a new bank card but at least it was sorted out rather quickly

[northepaul]

Thats good news Supra!
I had similar problems with two bank accounts 5 years ago - my personal one had been charged with £87 for shopping in Tesco in Croydon & several other shops in that area.....I rang the bank, told them I have never been to Croydon let alone shopped there. Had to go the the Police and get a crime number then they refunded my money and gave me a new card. (I beleive it was a bank error, not someone defrauding me)

The other time was in my joint account over Christmas a few years ago. Someone bought airline tickets from France - over £1000 worth with my debit card. That took ages to sort out, as it had to go through Visa etc, but as soon as I pointed out I dont have a passport, they refunded the money albeit, rather begrudgingly I thought.

I have to say, I did learn my lesson and am very careful with my cards now.