Lost Debit Card farudulently lost

rentose

I was in a hurry and left my debit card in a shop. Im about 90% sure that this is the case as I retraced my steps. I think I left it in the Chip and Pin Machine of a certain photo developing place in Holborn. The next day only did I realise it was gone when I saw that someone had used it the previous evening to buy a doughnut in Holborn (!), and then withdraw £300 in cash from a Halifax ATM. Luckily I stopped it in time so they couldnt do the same the following day. Ive also asked the RBS people to start an investigation, at their prompting. Only thing I'm worried about is that they weill simply say because it was my negligence they will pay me nothing back. I'm 95% sure my PIN number wasnt seen by the staff at the Holborn developing place, and there were no other customers. So I can only think the card was cloned, Ive read that if its cloned the new clone card does not always need a PIN to withdraw money, I cant think how else they got around the PIN.

What I'd like to know is who do I ask for a refund/compensation, do I ask my branch directly, or the fraud dept, or go to the Ombudsman. Also, how do I phrase my request, and how do I avoid saying something which will invalidate my request.

One small ray of hope, I was overdrawn when they stole the money, so apparently it falls under Credit Card Law and thus I lose the first £50, is this true. If so, what other things may still invalidate things. If I did leave the card there but not reveal the PIN, am I still covered? Should I just say the card was stolen and I dont know where?

If someone could give me a step by step process here, because I just have this vision of a bunch of lawyers waiting for me to say anything that might invalidate my claim...

Thanks!

Marc