Stolen credit card

Katykat

My collegue had her purse stolen from work yesterday (she's a nurse, and it could only have been a patient whole stole it - sucks doesn't it?) By the time she got home & realized it was gone, the thief had been to the bank, produced her drivers licence, signed the withdrawl slip and taken £2000, from 2 different banks. Halifax have been helpful and told her in all probability, she will get the money back, but Barclays have told her because she didn't report it before the cash was taken, she is liable for the loss. She didn't have a credit or debit card protection policy. Now, I also dont have a policy as I usually clear my credit card each month, but it's got me thinking, Because I clear my card, that means there is a lot of credit on it, so it means I am more at risk doesn't it? Or am I wrong. I also have 2 debit cards both with £1000 agreed overdraft & because I hardly ever go overdrawn, there is this to consider too. I know we shouldn't take our valuables to work, but we all do dont we?. I usually do my shopping on the way home. Incidentally, our place of employment doesn't provide any lockers for our bags & coats so I dont know if they are liable for anything. It seems such a shame that she was there helping "vulnerable" persons and she's now £2000 worse off.

The_Boss

First up, sorry to hear about your friend.

As for your question - it depends if your bank is like Halifax or Barclays to be honest. And you're also only more at risk in this instance if your card gets stolen, so assuming its safe then you will not be affected. If your friend has been a long time Barclays account holder, then hopefully a letter or two will make them see sense. Alternatively, she could ask to see the signature for the withdrawal or report the case to the police - get a crime number and quote it to them in any correspondence.

Smiley_Mum

I thought you got 24 hours in which to report the loss, not before any money was taken.

Sting_2

Lots of banks have CCTV in them these days. Not sure if it will help your case, but it would be useful to the police in tracking down who took the money.

The_Boss

Smiley_Mum wrote:

I thought you got 24 hours in which to report the loss, not before any money was taken.

Most cards t&cs state that once you report the theft, you are no longer liable for any dodgy dealings on the account. That would imply that you are liable up until it is closing unless they say otherwise.