Barclaycard fraud - happened to you?

wintusic4

I was shocked to learn that my Barclaycard had been used fraudulently. Fortunately I was refunded but I wondered how the fraudster managed to use my card, Barclaycard never gave me that information. I have not used my card in a store for nearly 3 years (and that was in my friends store) and only use it a couple of times online with Amazon.

I was checking my contact details with Barclaycard customer services and was devastated when I was informed that another email address had been added to my records, these details were not and have never been mine. What makes it worse is that I was asked for a password and a series of security questions by Barclaycard, my password is a dedicated one only known to me, even worse is that this is the first time I have ever had to contact Barclaycard using that password. If you were skilful enough to guess my password you would be capable of guessing the Lottery numbers. Ah you may be thinking Amazon but I am not asked for my Barclaycard password when using Amazon only my Amazon password.

In conclusion only Barclaycard and me know my password, work that one out.

I have now closed my account for security reasons.

WakeyWakely

Similar thing has just happened to me. A fraudster succeeded in changing the address, home and mobile phone numbers on my Barclaycard account without my knowledge. Luckily, I tried to make an online purchase and the card authority was refused so I contacted Barclaycard. I was stunned to find that my address had been changed AND that the customer services worker offered to just change it back! I said Stop!!! Transfer me to someone who can sort this out.

Now for the important bit. Barclaycard said they would now put a password of my choice on the account but they would ONLY EVER request 3 characters from this, NEVER the full password. So if you were asked for your password over the phone and gave it out in full, this must have been to the fraudster.

The only amusing about the whole episode is that my fraudster must have received a text message from Barclaycard informing him or her of the declined transaction and therefore phoned customer service to unblock the account. This happened at exactly the same time as I was on the phone setting up the password and the crook apparently failed the password check whilst I was still on the phone!

I don't appear to have lost money from the account but will have to wait until the statement comes through as it looks like the crook got my last statement, which did not get sent to me. I immediately checked my credit score online and the Barclaycard account is missing from my list of accounts so it looks like my credit history has been "stolen"! Does anyone think that I will be able to get this back?

INT1

WakeyWakely wrote: »

Similar thing has just happened to me. A fraudster succeeded in changing the address, home and mobile phone numbers on my Barclaycard account without my knowledge. Luckily, I tried to make an online purchase and the card authority was refused so I contacted Barclaycard. I was stunned to find that my address had been changed AND that the customer services worker offered to just change it back! I said Stop!!! Transfer me to someone who can sort this out.

Now for the important bit. Barclaycard said they would now put a password of my choice on the account but they would ONLY EVER request 3 characters from this, NEVER the full password. So if you were asked for your password over the phone and gave it out in full, this must have been to the fraudster.

The only amusing about the whole episode is that my fraudster must have received a text message from Barclaycard informing him or her of the declined transaction and therefore phoned customer service to unblock the account. This happened at exactly the same time as I was on the phone setting up the password and the crook apparently failed the password check whilst I was still on the phone!

I don't appear to have lost money from the account but will have to wait until the statement comes through as it looks like the crook got my last statement, which did not get sent to me. I immediately checked my credit score online and the Barclaycard account is missing from my list of accounts so it looks like my credit history has been "stolen"! Does anyone think that I will be able to get this back?

Your credit report for Barclays will not of been stolen, however you will need to ensure that Barclays move the linked address off the credit file. It normally links if the address details were changed for more than 2 weeks on your account.

You will not be held liable for the fraud.

Barclays should also offer to put a protective registration marker at your home address through CIFAS.

mez68

Its uncanny but I just had precisely the same experience on Jan 12 2011 as WakeyWakely. My email and address details were changed on the account, then £2500 of mystery purchases (five transactions - probably iPads or something looking at the large amounts) all from Apple and O2's UK web sites were made using my card details. I was locked-out from BC's web site so could not check my account, nor use the account which BC had blocked albeit too late. Worse still I could not pass BC's security questions on the phone since they tested me with loony questions about very specific transactions on old statements. The questions were quite frankly ridiculous - do they really think their customers have total recall or photographoic memories perhaps?

And all this with account details only I know, and a *very* cryptic account password that only I (and BC) know. And no the card has never left my possession, not for a second, so card cloning/swiping is out of the question. BC were cagey, and would explain it. Nor did they point the finger at me interestingly.

BC refunded the account, once I persuaded them "I" was indeed "me" (which took a VERY long time, absolute torture) and they posted me the claimback paperwork.

"...a password that only I (and BC) know" -- so there you have it: It has to be an "inside job" hasn't it? I am convinced BC's organisation is leaking account info to fraudsters.. A rogue IT employee perhaps (this happened at T-Mobile UK last year).

Oh and BC's fraud prevention system is plainly ineffective - it let 5 transactions through in quick succession for =>£500 each! From retailers I do not use.

When I was a Morgan Stanley customer prior to their acquistion by BC I had never experienced fraud issues.

I have of course closed the account. People, Vote with your feet.

WakeyWakely

I have not used my Barclaycards since this episode as I initially intended to cancel them (MC and Visa) but then considered a) the hassle of opening and closing accounts and b) lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place.

I talked to a relative about my experience and he told me the tale of his friends going on holiday to this US last year. The husband informed Barclaycard of the destination and dates in advance but then forgot to actually take the card with them on the trip. They were therefore surprised to get a statement on their return for fuel purchased on the card in the US! I know the couple and have no reason to doubt their story. The only likely explanation seems to be a leak of confidential information...