Desperately need help with bank fraud

originalkitten

Your determined to upset me aren't you? If people hadn't made stupid unnecessary comments then this thread would have been over a good few posts ago. I would not have been forced to justify my possessions and I would not feel ridiculed. Bendix and a few others did help me and helped me in what way they could.

Others sadly thought it was one big joke and even now are continuing. I don't want MSE to do anything for me. I just wanted to know my rights. I now know I don't have any and I will go on my pretty little way

And if you call defending yourself whinging then I pity you and those around you.

Kaelea

hiya's

I bank with Barclays too, about 18 months ago my bank card was cloned and some twonk had a nice time on me in Mexico

Barclays let my card go over £300 over my overdraft and as fast as my benefits were going into my bank, Barclays were snaffling it as well as hammering me with charges and I was left absolutely penniless ..

I rang the benefits office and explained the situation to them, they somehow made Barclays repay them the money they had paid in for me, they then sent me a giro and continued to do so untill Barclays sorted out my bank account

maybe you could see if the benefits office will do the same for you?


good luck!

JuicyJesus

I have to say, a lot of people on this thread have been incredibly callous and unsympathetic. £300 is not a small sum, and if I had a hole in my finances that big I'd be f***ed. Questioning this poor woman for having an "expensive" phone (which she's already said is second hand) is unhelpful at best and disgraceful at worst.

Unfortunately OP there is little you can do, as Barclays - in common with all banks - do have to investigate in cases like this. Where a person has used a site before and then reports that a subsequent purchase from that same place is fraudulent, you'll find that most banks will consider it a little suspicious, or at the least grounds for further investigation. Sadly, they are entirely in their rights to do this, and there is nothing in law to say they have to refund you.

What you could do is apply for a temporary overdraft facility to tide you over until any refund is made, and if that doesn't work then raise a complaint. You should be able to do this in the branch, insist that they log it as a complaint and investigate it fully.

There really is nothing else you could do possibly, aside from perhaps contacting the benefits office as suggested above. The police could get involved but it probably won't get your money back quicker.

poppie123

Hi OriginalKitten,
I am sorry that i have no answer for you but i just wanted to say that i really feel for you going through this at the moment.

I am a born worrier so know how you feel,so much so that i check my online banks several times a day. I know that is completely unneccessary and totally irrational but it is just something i have to do.
My debit card (barclays) was used fraudulently a few years ago which made me feel quite ill. I was lucky in that i had family who helped me out until the money went back into my bank account but if i hadnt i dont know what i would have done. That is where the constant need to check my accounts probably comes from.

I really hope it is sorted out quickly.

claireyrosey

I used to work for said the bank you mentioned.

I would go into a branch and discuss this with one of the personal bankers - as long as you normally run your account within its overdraft limit, then i can't see any reason why they would not give you a temp overdraft to cover you whilst you await the decision from the debit card fraud department.

The woman you spoke to at debit card services would not have been able to increase your overdraft, so its worth asking in the branch.

I would strongly advise you do this in branch rather than over the phone - so you don't get fobed off again. The staff on the phone just want to get rid of you straight away. Its much harder to get rid of you in the branch

If you don't get a overdraft increase - ask to log this as a complaint. They will type up your whole complaint on the computer (so it might take a little while - so be patient) You will be given a leaflet or letter with the details of your rights in the complaints process.

The police, won't care - but if do speak to them, and get a crime reference number - contact barclays and tell them the crime ref. They might ask for it later on, and it would save a few days if you'd already told them.

Good Luck

emz0801

Hi OP, I do feel lots of sympathy for you and you must feel so ill with worry. I think some people were just suggesting you sell your phone to get a little extra cash, not suggesting you don't deserve one. Perhaps you could get a cheaper one temporarily and use the money you desperately need. It is relatively simple to put your sim card into another phone. I do agree with the previous poster, try to get a temporary overdraft in the branch, if the sales person says no, ask it to be referred to the manager as sometimes they can override the decision. (I know this is true in my bank, not sure with Barclays). Unfortunately you are stuck until the outcome of the investigation and i wish i could have some more positive suggestions for you, sorry. Good luck to you.

kelloggs36

Have you tried to contact social services for emergency funds at all? They may be able to help.

preciousillusions

I do sympathise with your situation, and really hope that the problem gets sorted out soon and you get your money back okay.

However, i do feel the need to say that i found it quite off-putting the way you felt the need to continuously refer to indian and asian people, when really what race these people are has little relevance. I know you are upset and probably writing in panic mode here but i'd just be more careful with my choice of words if i were you.

Fiddlestick

originalkitten wrote: »

And once again how is a free phone an expensive phone? And how is a £24.99 contract w 1200 mins n free txt expensive.

In fairness to other posters, nobody knew you got the phone for free until you told them later.

Without knowing it was an older generation phone that isn't worth so much and without knowing you got it for free anyway it's not unreasonable for people to suggest that you might sell it to raise some money.

I appreciate that it might not have been the sort of advice you were looking for, but people here will tell you what you *need* to hear, not what you *want* to hear.

It might be difficult, but it was a valid suggestion.

jennikitten

originalkitten wrote: »

It WAS an upgrade of a crappy old phone. I told vodafone I was leaving them and they knocked £15 off my bill and gave me an iphone3. Which in consumers eyes is now a crappy Old phone.

You don't mention what size it is or whether it's a 3G or a 3GS - but a second hand 16GB 3GS is selling on Amazon for £250+postage: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0030KLRSG/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1297156028&sr=8-1&condition=used

The most basic iPhone 3 you can get is selling for £169 used: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-iphone-3G-Black-8GB/dp/B001MTDHK8/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1297156139&sr=1-2

You can easily buy a new phone (albeit a fairly basic one) for under £10 these days. I bought one new from a shop for £5 with £10 credit when they had a deal on.

originalkitten wrote: »

I looked into selling my phone via those mail things b4 I posted here but they send a chq. I would have to wait 5 days plus I am reluctant to pay anything into this account. I cnt go to cash converters as nearest one is £40 in a cabhe as I can't get public transport.

You're better off selling it on Amazon or eBay, particularly if there are any free listing deals coming up. You may even be able to find someone willing to collect if you aren't near a post office. There may be facebook groups you can list it on for free too.

originalkitten wrote: »

I also asked carphone warehouse (who did the deal) about selling and they said they wouldn't advise it. The contract is new and they said it would look bad on file or something so that is why I won't sell it.

You're confusing selling the contract and selling the phone. Selling (or paying off) the contract all in one go would be bad. BUT you can sell the phone separately without the sim card (and therefore without the contract) and make some instant cash without much effort and without any nasty repercussions further down the line. And you'll keep your contract deal.

JuicyJesus wrote: »

I have to say, a lot of people on this thread have been incredibly callous and unsympathetic. £300 is not a small sum, and if I had a hole in my finances that big I'd be f***ed. Questioning this poor woman for having an "expensive" phone (which she's already said is second hand) is unhelpful at best and disgraceful at worst.

I wasn't questioning her, I suggested she sell it to get some money because she's desperate. It was a constructive suggestion that is something that's easy to do, can instantly help with finances and isn't as destructive as getting a loan.