MSE News: Bogus mobile top-ups could spell greater fraud danger

lyverbyrd_2

This is a fairly common scam unfortunately, have also fallen foul of this one, and one to Mega Bus...looks like test transactions before they try the big ones. Just shows how carefully we have to check our statements these days.

Sam_G_3

With regards to O2 topups, if you topup by phone or on their website you need to provide the address details of where the credit/debit card is registered before it will go through, so it looks like someone somewhere may have access to more than just your card numbers...

ginnym

This has happened to me a year ago on my MBNA credit card. It was cancelled, the charges refunded and a new card issued. It's now happened again exactly a year later on the new card. When I rang MBNA today to report it - the guy said straight away "is it the 02 payment" so they're obviously getting lots of them. I don't know where these people are getting my details from but at least MBNA are good at dealing with it.

lufcgirl

ShelfStacker wrote: »

Sadly, yes. O2 is based in Slough. No idea about Three.

Three is based in Maidenhead...HTH

gemmalouanna

Boyfriend just checked his bank statement and noticed the exact same thing

Slough Debit Card - O2(Uk)ltd Prepay £30

He is now really worried about how they have got details!

Does he just phone his bank or contact O2 also?

Thanks - glad we checked!

olly300

If you are worried that a mobile company has your details then you need to use the Data Protection Act to find out what records they hold on you. Have a look on the Information Commissioners website on how to do it. http://www.ico.gov.uk/

As you are not a customer of the mobile company concerned all they will do if you contact them is pass you around the company. (I've had this pleasure as a customer with 2 companies and believe me sending the a Data Subject Request sorts the issue out with much less pain.)

All the Head Office details do is give you the information on what the card was used for. As far as the phone companies are concerned these where legit transactions as you don't even need to speak to a human to do top-ups.

gemmalouanna

Boyfriend has spoken to his bank and his card is cancelled, fraud dept are getting back to him to further discuss it.

Rang O2 also and need to speak to their fraud dept on Mon and they say they can trace who topped up and cut off their phone.

Just want him to get his £30 back in the end.

Penny_Rich

I had this a year ago, with T-mobile top ups. I'm not with T-mobile, and i have a contract phone. Little so and so's caned my credit card for about £4,000 of goods over 3 days, but luckily my card company were on to it quickly and got it sorted out. Ive no idea how it was done, as i am really really careful about card security.

hethmar

I had a mobile phone bought from O2 last year, the same people attempted to buy a camera from another site but my bank stopped them. They said that O2 is a well known company for getting cards scammed by. Apparently they dont ask any security questions. So why the hell dont the banks fine them for allowing this to happen?

This year my bank stopped my card when they saw £1.52 i-tune debited - again another company that apparently rings alarm bells. This was the tester amount.

I never use my credit card outside the house - only ever used it to purchase on the net and then only reputable companies like M and S and so on. The fraud department of my bank said that often employees will steal the card details and sell it on to dodgey mates. It does make you feel so sick though doesnt it - particularly when the police never seem to follow these thefts up.

torchie

I found this thread by chance! I had two suspicious entries on my CREDIT CARD statement a couple of months ago. Both were £30 in value - one was for Tesco Mobile top-up and the other was O2 Prepay top up. I didn't realise the problem was so widespread. My CC company sent me dispute forms which I have yet to action - based on this thread, I will be doing it tomorrow.