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

AllyO

Hi everyone! I too have been scammed with the 02 top up! I transferred my balance from my HSBC card to my credit card in January 09. I later noticed after a week of doing it my balance free HSBC card had been used too for 02 top ups and another website was used! Also I hadnt used my HSBC credit card since 2007 so the culprits are either working for HSBC or Halifax as these are the only people who have had access to my card number since 07!!!! When I contacted Halifax's fraud department to advise them they couldnt of cared less! The banks should have stricter polices and investigate their staff!

hethmar

Absolutely dreadful isnt it. Please add to the complaints at watchdog - link given above.

10_66

Husband was contacted last week by credit card company as they suspected fraudulent activity on account. £30 to 02 and £30 to Orange. It was triggered by the 2nd attempt. They quickly cancelled card and reversed the debit on the account. Was very impressed by their quick action.

hethmar

But it shouldnt have happened in the first place 1066 - its happening to hundreds of people every day, costing thousands - which ultimately we will have to pay. O2 needs to get their act together and prevent this happening.

Anyone who has been scammed like this, please add a complaint to the watchdog site. Hopefully they will have the clout for O2 to improve security.

radox

AllyO wrote: »

Hi everyone! I too have been scammed with the 02 top up! I transferred my balance from my HSBC card to my credit card in January 09. I later noticed after a week of doing it my balance free HSBC card had been used too for 02 top ups and another website was used! Also I hadnt used my HSBC credit card since 2007 so the culprits are either working for HSBC or Halifax as these are the only people who have had access to my card number since 07!!!! When I contacted Halifax's fraud department to advise them they couldnt of cared less! The banks should have stricter polices and investigate their staff!

Did you buy anything online with your card in the last 8 months?

AllyO

radox wrote: »

Did you buy anything online with your card in the last 8 months?

No, I havent used the card since 2007, I was just slowly paying it off. As soon as I transferred the balance, my credit card details were used.

Kynthia

Hi

I remember getting something like this on my Barclaycard years ago. I can't believe it's still happening!!!

I think it was about seven years ago when I hardly used my credit card, and I certainly wasn't shopping online. I noticed a £10 phone top-up voucher purchased in west london (possibly Slough) when I was living in Essex. I thought it must of been an accident as if someone had my details why would they restrict themselves to £10, but seeing this thread makes me think otherwise. I wasn't registered with Paypal at the time but I might have recently used the card to register with Ebay (it's hard to remember).

Thankfully Barclaycard cancelled the card immediately and refunded the money. I'm suprised this fraud is still happending.

Always query charges you don't recognise, looking an idiot when you've forgotten that you got cash back somewhere is a small price to pay for avoiding being defrauded.

fortyaday

hi all,last week I had 3x£30 taken off my credit/debit cards all to 02 slough Its a bloody disgrace that o2 still haven't improved their security to prevent this.I contacted my bank all 3 cards blocked and fraud dept. looking into it.It's about time banks refused these payments until security is improved.I have no idea how these scumbags got my details as I am extreemly careful with my own security as much as I can.I also wrote to watchdog about this ongoing problem.

hethmar

The police and the banks cant be bothered to tackle it. But we are all paying for this and its sickening that these parasites can use our information to line their own pockets.

Jimbo49_2

Just noticed the same damn thing on my online statement. O2 (UK) Ltd Prepay SLOUGH to the sum of £30. it happened 16 days ago, I never really pay a great deal of attention to my statements, merely look to see how much is left in my bank =]. Today I had a proper look and noticed it though...16 days and only stung once, that's a bit lazy on the scammers part. Anyway, rang bank and got card cancelled and fraud department is looking into it for my refund. I have filled out the form on the watchdog site and thanks to hethmar for the link, and hopefully they will get this sort of thing prevented. Would also like to add that I verified my Paypal account 2 days before the transaction in question. Anybody else suspect Paypal as my Dad is really worried now as he uses eBay too.