Nectar - Is it Fraud? Contacted Watchdog.

sarahelizabeth0

I have recently had over 19000 Nectar points taken from my card. They were used at Argos on three seperate occasions. Apparently I have had over 32000 points taken over the last 2 years according to Nectar.
Nectar denied that fraud was possible.
I sent my card to Nectar to prove that someone else is using my card. They (Nectar) are in receipt of it, I have the Recorded Delivery signature to prove it, yet still my card is being used??!!
I have had long discussions with Nectar, but they are refusing to refund my points as they say FRAUD IS IMPOSSIBLE!

I have contacted Watchdog with my story and am trying to find others with a similar problem. I have seen other postings on here, but need you to contact me.

We need to stop this from happening to any one else. :mad:

Evilm

I would suspect that at somepoint they have sent you a nectar keyring or a replacement/second card then and that has been interrupted before it got to you (or was sent to an old address?).

See if they will provide you the history and specify which stores and branches they were used in. (for example if you are in Hampshire and its being used in branches in Cornwall).

Other than that I'm not sure what to suggest since I am not sure if the police would be interested. (I do know the police around here managed to track a babysitter stealing a couples Tesco vouchers because she was using her clubcard at the same time.)

pingua

will they not cancel the card?????

sarahelizabeth0

They have not sent anything out to me, they looked into it. I have lived here for over 10 years. They said there are no other cards or keyrings under my name.
I have the complete history and can prove it isn't me, but they are still not interested!
Looking on the ineternet this has happened quite a lot, which is why I want to build up a case file.

I don't want to use Police resources for something like this, I am sure they have far more important things to do!

sarahelizabeth0

pingua wrote: »

will they not cancel the card?????

They have stopped the card from being able to cash points in. What I wanted was for the person who has a copy or whatever it is to use the card after I sent my one and only card to Nectar. Thus proving it can't be me using it and backing up my claim.

glider3560

Fraud is very simple on Nectar cards. All is needed is someone's Nectar card number. From this, a barcode can be printed on a piece of paper and scanned through the self-service tills in Sainsburys. Points can be deducted immediately provided the card has been used in that store in the last 2 years.

Personally, I don't like the "instant redeem" system with Nectar and would much prefer a scheme like Tesco where you are sent vouchers (perhaps vouchers that can be used at multiple retailers).

sarahelizabeth0

glider3560 wrote: »

Fraud is very simple on Nectar cards. All is needed is someone's Nectar card number. From this, a barcode can be printed on a piece of paper and scanned through the self-service tills in Sainsburys. Points can be deducted immediately provided the card has been used in that store in the last 2 years.

Personally, I don't like the "instant redeem" system with Nectar and would much prefer a scheme like Tesco where you are sent vouchers (perhaps vouchers that can be used at multiple retailers).

I completey agree, I also have Tesco points!

The only trouble in this case is that the points were redeemed in Argos. Not sure how they could do that.

pingua

Have you ever spent points there?? Could be the staff??
Really someone should be able to trace the transaction???

Better go spend my points before someone else does!! How do you do it in argos?

Freddie_Snowbits

With Freda's wine and cheese habit, if our nectar card ever gets near to 501 points, it ends up being liquified

WhiteHorse

glider3560 wrote: »

Fraud is very simple on Nectar cards. All is needed is someone's Nectar card number. From this, a barcode can be printed on a piece of paper and scanned through the self-service tills in Sainsburys.

Yes, it's very simple. Many computers even have a font for barcodes. If not, they can be downloaded from the internet in moments. And of course any card with a simple magnetic stripe can be cloned with ease.

zppp

sarahelizabeth0 wrote: »

I completey agree, I also have Tesco points!

The only trouble in this case is that the points were redeemed in Argos. Not sure how they could do that.

You can use a nectar card as an instant reward in Argos, much the same way you can use it in Sainsburys. You scan/swipe the card to redeem points. It will be the barcode that will have been used I think, unless someone had access to your card, which is not possible as you hold it.