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

WWitch

It was a debit card...came straight out of my bank.

LinD

Yes, same here. I was told in another thread that credit cards were safer, but I've always been in the habit of using my debit card.

username

LinD wrote: »

Yes, same here. I was told in another thread that credit cards were safer, but I've always been in the habit of using my debit card.

Credit cards tend to be safer because of additional protections under the CCA 1974 and also the fact that IF there is fraud on your card, it is the bank's money that is being stolen and not yours, so you won't be out of pocket whilst they rectify the fraudulent transactions.

LinD

Oh no no NO NO !!!!! Just checked my online statement whilst filling in the bank's fraud forms, and the day before the statement arrived (the day before I stopped the card) there had been two further withdrawals for £500. So that's £2,700 gone from my account leaving me overdrawn and unable to pay for anything. I phoned the fraud department again an hour ago and confirmed the additional theft transactions and announced that I wished to make a formal complaint - Barclays really should have spotted all these massive 'O2 Money Card' withdrawals.

I don't always get to check my online statements regularly and tend to rely on my monthly hard copy, as it's so much easier to go through and check. I still feel that Barclays should have done something. I've only had the card a few weeks (the last one was stopped due to mobile phone top up fraud). It seems I will have to rely on a credit card from now on.

WWitch

LinD - that's horrendous! Did they try and take a small amount first?

Mine was peanuts compaired to you - but still leaves me feeling angry and a little bit unnerved! I bank online so check my bank statements most days which is why I spotted mine so quickly. Will be checking twice a day from now on! Lloyds have refunded my £15 today which was impressively quick!

LinD

Hi WWitch, on this occasion there was no small amount taken first, just repeated amounts for £500 over a number of days and weeks. When this happened in August, it was several small amounts (£30 each) to various mobile phone operators. This latest fraud has therefore happened on the replacement card, and I'm baffled as to how my details have been used. The only common denominator in the run up to both frauds has been a purchase to Amazon, but I'm sure that's just co-incidental.

I know what you mean about feeling unnerved - a debit card is essential to have at times, but seemingly so unsafe.

antispam246

Been refunded by Barclays, money in account yesterday and O2 finalyl called and cancelled the number/account associated with fraudulent top-up, they said they couldn't divulge any further details, heh. Case solved!

WWitch

Got to say Lloyds have been very good...got the money refunded really quickly and a new card within a couple of days. Got the form to sign this morning to allow them to investigate. But I am still having to shop online and will still have to use my card at places like Amazon and Ebay. I will continue to keep a close eye on my account I guess.

LinD

I might change to Lloyds then. I got my new card quickly, within 5 days, but they've only changed the last 2 numbers (as was the case on previous occasions). I don't know how long it will take to get my money back, I'm having to borrow at the moment to meet my living needs.

I looked back through my records and I've had 5 new cards in 2 years. The first two times Barclays stopped it merely because I'd bought a battery charger on the internet, the other time because I tried to buy some printer cartridges from Jersey. They didn't even inform me - I discovered that my card wouldn't work over a week later, whilst standing in a long queue in a shop and was unable to pay for my goods. And of course this time I lost all my cash and they didn't even take notice. As WWitch says, people still have to shop online with cards, so it's a case of keeping an even closer eye on one's account.

LinD

As an update, Barclays have resolved the problem and credited back my money. They've done this pretty quickly, so I'm pleased. I don't want to use my new debit card though!

Do they ever catch the fraudsters?