Anyone else had Groupon take money out of their bank?

Herbyme

This might sound really odd but I just checked my bank statement to find that Groupon took 3 large payments out of my current account in the last two weeks, and paid them back again a few days ago. Total over £2000. My bank say they must have had my card details. I get Groupon emails but haven't bought anything from/via it. Their customer service line is closed for the day.

Anyone else had anything like this? Anyone shed any light on it?
Many thanks in advance!

topsy73

I only ever use paypal for Groupon...not sure how they have taken cash from your account but would be contacting them to find out why.

Herbyme

Had to wait til their phones opened at 9am, got a woman who couldn't pass me on to anybody at all, suggested I email a copy of my bank statement and that I could then expect a call back TODAY!!! I am outraged and debating next steps...

I think you are wise only to pay with Paypal but I haven't paid with anything at all so I can't see how I could have been safer than that.

scottishblondie

If you haven't bought anything then it's fraudulent activity, ie someone has nicked your details - get back onto your bank and cancel the card!!

Herbyme

yup, that's right, oddly nothing else has been bought but have cancelled the card. At least Groupon spotted it, and it turns out they had no way of getting in touch with me to let me know about it. They did take it very casually but it turns out they are not the villains at all, indeed they sorted out the problem. All's well that ends well!

metalstardust

If you have never purchased anything how would they have your bank details?

Something does not smell right.

I always pay with Pay pal.

Herbyme

Someone else, the fraudster, had my bank details, but I don't know how.

timbstoke

They might have been a little casual about it on the phone, but it sounds like they did the right thing here. I'd guess they accepted payments, then your card was flagged as making multiple high value purchases, probably under multiple accounts. They don't have a clue who you are so couldn't tell you, but they cancelled the accounts and refunded all purchases made. It sounds to me like they were proactive about it and did all they reasonably could.

Your next job is to a) report to your bank that your details have been compromised, and b) go through your statement with a fine toothed comb in case there are other discrepencies.

Herbyme

Spot on timbstoke, I agree with all you say. Scary when I think of how often I give out all those card details, at least getting a new one will wipe the slate clean and all those times will now be irrelevant. Actually going through my statement I found that a charity direct debit had somehow been cancelled so I'm now able to reinstate it, which is an added benefit.

gibken

I discovered today that someone has been living the high life on my barclaycard. Interestingly this all followed a lovefilm purchase on Groupon. Hard to say definitively how or when it was scammed but clearly giving my card details to anyone now is quite perilous This experience has taught me to think long and hard about giving out my details