Natwest won't refund fraudulent Amazon transactions

vijay901

VicDoc wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies to my original query. After much arguing with NatWest and their rather unhelpful Fraud Department, I wrote to them quoting section 12 of the Banking Code (to which they subscribe), which basically states that you will not be liable for fraudulent transactions made online. A few days later they refunded me in full!

What is the postal address or email to send a letter to?

medic1978

Hi

Slightly off tangent but what are peoples thoughts about using a prepaid debit card for online purchases? I have just got an O2 prepaid Visa card and thought this would be safest because it only lets you spend what is already on the card and not more?

Well done to OP for getting the cash back. Must have been a stressful and prolonged wait

jonesMUFCforever

If the card is cloned would you not lose the money on the pre paid card just as you would with a debit card?
A credit card is the safest way to shop online.

medic1978

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

If the card is cloned would you not lose the money on the pre paid card just as you would with a debit card?
A credit card is the safest way to shop online.

Balance on my O2 prepaid debit card is almost always zero. I only use for online spending and top up if/when I'm going to buy something online. Hence my thinking that it would be pretty safe. Or maybe I should just stick with credit card

cottager

Agree with others: have never used a debit card online, in phone transactions or in normal personal shopping. Always a c/c then pay it off in one go monthly, no interest chargeable. The money still comes from the bank account in the end... but I've hung on to it longer, for the best part of a month (in a savings account - quick TF back to current a/c to pay off card when due), and also never have to think about whether there's enough in the bank a/c to cover what I buy as I go along.

Mr.Mulla

I am sorry to hear about what happened to you, but we all know that it is very risky to use a DEBIT CARD when purchasing online. You do not have protection when it comes to fraudulent transactions unlike when you use a credit card. So I doubt you can get a refund. But try to still talk to your bank though.

jambosans

Mr.Mulla wrote: »

I am sorry to hear about what happened to you, but we all know that it is very risky to use a DEBIT CARD when purchasing online. You do not have protection when it comes to fraudulent transactions unlike when you use a credit card. So I doubt you can get a refund. But try to still talk to your bank though.

You do have purchase protection when using a Visa Debit Card. The bank can perform a Visa Debit Chargeback to claim back fraudulent funds. So you're still covered for fraud in a similar manner as with a credit card, however credit cards have the added advantage of Section 75 protection, and no direct link to you bank account (therefore any fraud is borrowed credit).

craigmc

Was it a solo card that was used for the transaction as I was in a similar position before switching to visa debit?

ajharris

karen23 wrote: »

I've just discovered today that my debit card has been used 5 times without my knowledge. Alliance and Leicester are looking into this for me and have of course, cancelled the card. I shop online a lot, so in future should I use a credit card instead?? What is the difference when it comes to fraud please?

I was once told by a member of banking staff that if your credit card is used fraudulently then the criminals are stealing from the bank, if it is your debit card then they are stealing from you.

If your credit card has money taken from it then it is not nearly as much hassle as having your current account targetted. Basically use your credit card on line for your own protection.

Having read this thread I was wondering how the Visa/Mastercard secure code is helping to reduce fraud. Did you have this in place?

boliston

Another good precaution is never leave more money in a current account than is needed. I always try and keep more or less a "zero" balance on my current a/c so if it was ever targeted the most they could do is run up an overdraft. It's always a good idea to have a second current account as well just in case something goes wrong with the first one as at least you would still have somewhere to have your wages paid into.