Beware of Lotto online

Blue999_2

Opened an online Lotto account recently. This involved adding our debit card details. Yesterday Lotto have notified a number of users via e mail that they have taken money from their bank accounts in error and transferred it to their online lotto account. This was done without our knowledge or authorisation. For us it was a large amount of money but we just had enough in this bank account to cover it. If we had'nt we would have had the problem of bank charges etc. Spoke to a lotto adviser (on premium 0845 number) and the only way we can get our money back is to transfer it back ourselves online through our online lotto account. Have been trying for over 5 hours now and the system keeps going down!! Not happy.

buglawton

Though I am sceptical that such a transfer error cannot be corrected automatically between Lotto & the bank as it was in effect an illegal transfer. Did you check your bank acct and see the money had really gone out? I would have to see a 3rd party ref to this story.

Blue999_2

I have better things to do than fabricate stories. This was meant to be a caution for other online lotto users.
Yes, the money has been taken from my account from my bank account. Yes , it has been credited to my online lotto account without my authorisation....... yes,I too think this was an illegal transfer ...hence posting this thread

soolin

You say this has affected a number of users, how do you know, is there another forum where this is being discussed or has there been an announcement? I can't see any reference to any problems mentioned online and usually if there is an error somewhere MSE will have users posting it all over the boards in minutes.

Blue999_2

I don't know how many users. I did'nt ask the Lotto adviser when I spoke to her. They say its a very small amount of accounts. See copy of the e mail below.

Dear xxxx,

I am writing with regard to your National Lottery Interactive Account.

Unfortunately, due to a temporary technical issue – which affected a very small number of Interactive Accounts – an incorrect payment was taken from your debit card on 2nd May 2009. This issue has now been corrected.

However, as we had already taken the money from your account, we will be crediting your National Lottery Interactive Account Wallet with the same amount.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and wish you the best of luck in the future.

Kind regards

Interactive Customer Care Team

twentypenceoff

i read that that they corrected the error then as a goodwill gesture gave you the same amount of money into your online account so you are better off.

Blue999_2

Thats what we thought the original e mail indicated However that was not the case with us.
Where did you read they were giving the money as a goodwill gesture? I can then check why we didnt get it. Thanks

twentypenceoff

Blue999 wrote: »

Thats what we thought the original e mail indicated However that was not the case with us.
Where did you read they were giving the money as a goodwill gesture? I can then check why we didnt get it. Thanks

This issue has now been corrected.

However, as we had already taken the money from your account, we will be crediting your National Lottery Interactive Account Wallet with the same amount.

you posted the email, thats how i read it.i could be wrong but why say it was corrected then go on to say they will credit your account, if it hasnt been corrected then no need to say it surely?

buglawton

The reason I was a little bit sceptical is, there are loads of Lottery affiliate schemes around (statistically you are worse of for joining them, better by far to have direct acct with UK Nat Lottery) and I thought maybe it was one of those you got an email from.

Blue999_2

It was a cleverly written e mail from the Lotto. When I spoke to the Lotto adviser she clarified that its was their system that had been rectified. Not their error. My bank account was still missing the money.There were no gestures of goodwill. I checked with the bank this morning they took money from our account on the 2nd May. They notified us the 8th May and we have just managed to get it back now.

buglawton

been in & checked our acct... no issues but thx for the heads up