Unrecognised bank debit

bankersmug

I have found a debit card debit from my bank account for about £70,from a source based in sweden. I have made no such transaction,did not lose my card at any stage,and I am usually very careful who I buy from with online shopping.

I called my bank Lloyds TSB to inform them and all they could do was tell me that the company is a software company from Sweden and that Lloyds would send me a form.

I decided to take no chances and called card services to cancel the card.

3 questions;How could this have happened? Is there anything else I can do bank wise? Am I likely to get the money back?!

Debt_Free_Chick

How could this have happened?

Could you possibly have ordered some Software that happened to be billed from Sweden? You say the amount was in GBP£ and not Euro, so it sounds like just the billing is done in Sweden, but that this was a UK purchase.

Otherwise, anyone who ever had access to your debit card - think of every shop/purchase you made - could have copied your card and used in. Usually, the good suppliers will only deliver to the address of the cardholder to prevent fraudulent use. Others aren't so dligent.

Is there anything else I can do bank wise?

Usual stuff ... keep your card safe. Don't reveal your pin. Only do online transactions with secure sites and preferably those who have signed up to one of the reputable transaction handlers e.g. Verisign

Am I likely to get the money back?!

If it's a fraudulent transaction, probably. Read the T&Cs to be sure.

In the meantime, are you sure you haven't bought any software? Could you have done so a year or more ago and signed up for some "automatic renewal of subscription" service and that this is the renewal premium?

bankersmug

Hi and thanks for your reply

I haven't ordered any software and the transaction came up in pounds showing the cost in Swedish Kronor,and exchange rate on the day of purchase.
Very bizarre - I am racking my brains and as you say,some kind of repeat subscription would explain it,but I just can't think of anything.

I did go to sweden once in 2003 and paid for a taxi on the card but this is unlikely to be the source as a)the taxi was in a different name and b) I have since changed for a newer issue debit card with different card no/expiry date.

Any further thoughts/tips greatly appreciated.

davidcampbell

could be anything you have bought that has its head office in sweden. often debits appear under a different name that you would think.

i dont see why you wont get it back. lloyds will send you a dispute form - you simply sign it to say you didnt do this transaction. they investigate with the retailer who then has to prove you made it. if they cant prove it you get your money back.. may take a wee while but will happen

DC

grumbler

Stop worrying. Just fill the form in.
Now it is your bank’s job to request Swedish part for proof of your authorisation of this transaction.
Cancelling this card is a good idea.
Follow Debt_Free_Chick’s advices in future. Plus be careful with card receipts - some of them have enough information to make a copy of your card. This copy can be used in shops. If you make search for ‘skimming’, you will find a lot of information, for example, THIS.

Walletwatch

Hi

As others have said, I don’t see why you won’t get your money back. Same thing happened to a colleague of mine and he got his money within a week – he obviously had to go thro’ the same procedure of filing a police complaint, filling out a fraud prevention form, etc.

I think the receipts retained by tills when you pay for something at a merchant place is the bane of our lives – these receipts, in some cases, have the whole debit card no, without any of the digits being masked, and also the expiry date. So all it takes for the person at the till to do any mischief is to eye the security pin at the back of the card…

I have a good mind to black it out on all my cards, so as to never face this risk (of course, will make a note of it in some secure location before doing so) Anybody see a problem with this?

grumbler

Walle****ch wrote:

I have a good mind to black it out on all my cards, so as to never face this risk (of course, will make a note of it in some secure location before doing so) Anybody see a problem with this?

Good idea!
However, this cannot prevent making copy of your card and using it for face-to-face purchases. Hope, chip-n-pin will change this.

bankersmug

Thought I would update this story. The bank have refunded the £70 to me,and have begun to investigate the debit and have given the company the statutory 40days to prove I made a purchase.
Now!
Tonight I check my account and find that the said company in Sweden has since paid £67 into my bank account,even though my bank has already reimbursed me the £70+ originally taken out!!! What is going on?!?!?!

davidcampbell

hmmm oddd

possibly the company have acted on your banks instructions and misunderstood the situation. seen it before. your bank investigate, the company refund you expecting your bank to refund them once investigation is finished.

wouldnt worry too much. at least there seems to be some consistency. the company appear willing to co-operate which is good.

no doubt your bank will redebit you again shortly.

maybe phone them again and see if they know why the swedish company refunded.

possibly other explanation is company found it to be fraudulent off their own back and refunded it to you (unlikely though IMO)

or even original purchaser cancelled the order and the funds were refunded (again unlikely IMO)


of course it could be something else entirely but your bank should be able to clear it up i would expect.

good luck
DC