Net fraud

RoxieW

Hi, I wasnt sure where to put this so hope it's in the right place.
About a month ago I got a phone call from a well know online retailer asking to confirm my address. I did so assuming my husband had ordered something. The same day we had a call from our bank saying cut up your cards there has been a fraud on your account. Anyway they immediately refunded the money - not sure how they new it was a fraud but they knew before we did. Then a few days later we receive a parcel from online retailer. No invoice , note, email or anything - just a watch in a box. Now on googling this watch its a rather expensive piece of kit. I'm assuming it is what the fraudsters ordered as I havent ordered it. However, we have no evidence to this. A couple of weeks ago we had a form to sign from bank to confirm that we did not order on x date from x site. I signed it as it is true. However, we still have the watch. Noone has been in contact about it. Will we get into trouble for keeping it? Afterall, it was just sent to us - no paperwork - we didnt order it and noone has requested it back?

Browntoa

you'd be angry if the bank had not returned your money but seem happy to keep the goods costing the retailer money ??

RoxieW

I know its not exactly ethical but havent posted on here for a roasting. Does anyone know what our position is legally? If a retailer sends you an item that you haven't ordered or paid for?

Money_maker

Speak to your bank, if they compensated you then it is their property.

RoxieW

Browntoa wrote: »

you'd be angry if the bank had not returned your money but seem happy to keep the goods costing the retailer money ??

Also - they should have been aware the transaction was fraudulent - the purchaser requested them sent to a different address - the retailer called us to confirm our correct address yet sent us the item anyway? Prol desperate to try to make such an expensive sale.

bryanb

How do you know it was the retailer on the phone?
Did they give you the address and ask you to confirm it or did you give it to them?
How did you check it was your bank on the phone?

RoxieW

I didnt know it was the retailer tbh, I just took it at face value - I didnt think much of it until afterwards but just assumed that my OH had ordered something.
OH spoke to the bank so not sure how he checked but it was definately them as we have had new cards and a form from them Plus, I dont think he had to give any bank details. She just told him what had happened and said to cut up the cards.

RoxieW

Browntoa wrote: »

you'd be angry if the bank had not returned your money but seem happy to keep the goods costing the retailer money ??

Also - it will cost me money and time to send an item back. I live in a village without a post office. I would have to go into town. The retailer has not requested this item nor provided an address or any instructions for sending it back.

the_rottweiler

But you know who the "well known online retailer" is right? so why not give them a quck call and ask them.
They may send you a prepaid label to return the watch. Then you can return it the next time you need to go into town for other things
My Uncle lives 7 miles from town, a mile up a mountain but still goes into town once a week.
I think it would be dishonest to keep an expensive item without making an effort to return it

Antispam

They might send a courier round to collect it, so therefore it will only costs you time and a small charge for a phone call. You shouldnt be in any way out of pocket for sending a item back but I think its reasonable to expect you to be fully reimbursed

Meadows

I would contact your bank and explain that you have received the watch and could it be part of the fraud and if so what is the next step!
If you don't and the watch is traced back to you it could cause problems down the line if another fraud ever occurred.