Massive chip and pin theft

Turkey_Machine

AngelaSinclair wrote: »

The Argos manager is looking into the transactions. Hopefully she will come up with something I can take back to the bank. The story about the 89 year old man is terrible. They say "as a goodwill gesture" they're refunding half the amount. That's such an insult and so awful to leave such an already vulnerable person in that situation.

I'm now wondering what my next course of action is with the bank. So far charges are amounting to £133.00, all to come out of my account on the 12th May. Of course there is no money in my account, it's been stolen and I don't get paid until the 15th. In which case, covering the overdraft that wasn't run up by me, paying the charges I didn't cause, catching up on my rent payment - two will now be coming out of one month's wages totalling £1260, I'm left with nothing.

Should I put my wages in my father's bank account and have him send me money via the Post Office or something so I can at least live while all of this is sorted out?

I can't believe how quickly you can be staring at financial ruin in the face.

Again, many thanks. I hope that I can do something with all of this to help others who find themselves in the same situation.

Yes, change the bank account you put your paycheck in!

James

AN elderly woman was conned out of £1,500 by scammers posing as police officers.

Deborah Simmons, 82, of Sinclair Road, Chingford, received a phone call from the scam artists, who told her someone had accessed her bank accounts and they needed her PIN numbers.

Article click here.

I wonder if this unfortunate, trusting OAP, got her money back?

I really think the Card Industry should be held to account for not telling Consumers that Chip & Signature Cards are an option.

socrates

James wrote: »

AN elderly woman was conned out of £1,500 by scammers posing as police officers.

Deborah Simmons, 82, of Sinclair Road, Chingford, received a phone call from the scam artists, who told her someone had accessed her bank accounts and they needed her PIN numbers.

Article click here.

I wonder if this unfortunate, trusting OAP, got her money back?

I really think the Card Industry should be held to account for not telling Consumers that Chip & Signature Cards are an option.

Did they really need to quote her road name as well - so that more scammers can go round!

olly300

socrates wrote: »

So basically you are agreeing with me?

Yes but I'm correcting a few things.

Argos doesn't require you to have extra ID to release goods brought at the terminal.

However like all shops they have a right to ask for extra ID at any till point and can refuse to allow you to make a purchase.

BTW OP you haven't named the bar. Thieves tend to target the same places and MSE comes up on google.

simongregson

Can I suggest that you pursue this further with your bank, it really isn't up to you to do the trawling around shops etc.

As the use of your card took you into your overdraft, you are covered (minus £50) for any of the transactions that occurred after you went into overdraft. This is the law as covered by the consumer credit act, and will override anything that the banking code says.

Complain in writing, you will then start the official complaints process and will be able to take the case to the banking ombudsman if you get no joy from the bank.

AngelaSinclair

simongregson wrote: »

Can I suggest that you pursue this further with your bank, it really isn't up to you to do the trawling around shops etc.

As the use of your card took you into your overdraft, you are covered (minus £50) for any of the transactions that occurred after you went into overdraft. This is the law as covered by the consumer credit act, and will override anything that the banking code says.

Complain in writing, you will then start the official complaints process and will be able to take the case to the banking ombudsman if you get no joy from the bank.

I am pursuing it further with the bank, every single day. The whole reason I'm having problems is that they are doing nothing. The saying "if you want something done, do it yourself" couldn't be more fitting right now. Did you see that three days after me submitting the fraud claim they came back to me saying that it hadn't been logged at all? They're acting like this theft hasn't even happened so it's unfortunately harder than invoking the Consumer Credit Act or the Banking Code when your bank are laying the blame at your own door.

I'll definitely complain now that I'm having no joy with them and get it to the banking ombudsman ASAP thereafter. I've emailed Which since they're currently looking for examples like mine following one man taking HBOS to court over the same type of theft when they refused to payout for him, thanks to poster James alerting me to that.

James

AngelaSinclair wrote: »

I'll definitely complain now that I'm having no joy with them and get it to the banking ombudsman ASAP thereafter. I've emailed Which since they're currently looking for examples like mine following one man taking HBOS to court over the same type of theft when they refused to payout for him, thanks to poster James alerting me to that.

Good on you.

And here's why The Telegraph warned us all in 2006:

Don't Bank on a Refund if Fraudsters Mark Your Cards.

A study by the European Commission found that 31 per cent of those hit by bank fraud in Britain had been left to shoulder the loss from their accounts.

Banks used to refund almost all the time but we now have a situation where they are losing a fortune through fraud so they are taking an increasingly aggressive stance when it comes to compensating customers

AngelaSinclair I hope you're putting everything in writing and keeping an accurate record.

As you are 'The victim' I'd ask your card issuer for a 'Crime Reference' or incidence number. If you get this number take it to you're local Police. If it's not forthcoming go back to the Police and have them record it and give you the relevant details.

Why? Because the new Policing Pledge states:

9. If you have been a victim of crime agree with you how often you would like to be kept informed of progress in your case and for how long. You have the right to be kept informed at least every month if you wish and for as long as is reasonable.

I'd also take it up with your local MP as card fraud victims are hung out to dry.

AngelaSinclair

I'm still chasing Argos, I spoke to someone on the Fraud team just now. They say everything IS underway and I'll be given a decision in a few days, but they wouldn't give me any sort of reference number/name and when I asked for written confirmation that the investigation is taking place they said that's something they don't do. I would have felt more comfortable if I could actually see with my own eyes that things are being dealt with.

I hate the waiting!

Rafter

Angela,

Horrible thing to happen to you and hope you get it sorted out. There must be CCTV evidence from the clothing store, Asda and elsewhere of the person stealing your money and I'm amazed the police aren't interested.

I think it is for HBOS to prove that you acted negligently and I would fight this one all the way. Particularly as HBOS is government owned, for them to somehow attach blame to you when the police refuse to investigate the fraud seems outrageous.

R.

socrates

AngelaSinclair wrote: »

I'm still chasing Argos, I spoke to someone on the Fraud team just now. They say everything IS underway and I'll be given a decision in a few days, but they wouldn't give me any sort of reference number/name and when I asked for written confirmation that the investigation is taking place they said that's something they don't do. I would have felt more comfortable if I could actually see with my own eyes that things are being dealt with.

I hate the waiting!

I think you should also speak to the Fraud Team at HBOS and let them know you are not a walkover and you are following up your own investigations and you want a reference number.

They will not want to admit anything at all but they will be on notice that you are serious about this.

The more ammunition you gather and the more of a nuisance you make of yourself the better.

Also in the meantime apply for another bank account so that when this is over you can 'move on' - HSBC have IMO the most sensitive fraud detection (others may know more)

Also call the nightclub in question and inform them of an investigation pending - it is not out of the question that a member of staff is involved and there may be a few of these situations occurring and pointing back to this club.

Dont lose heart and besides one idiot on here - we are all on your side and will help as much as we can.

Trust me HBOS are a bunch of clowns!

Keep us in the loop.....