Free Sample Scam

OneYorkshireLass

choille wrote: »

I don't have a local branch - The co op used to have a branch in Inverness which is just over 75 miles away, but that shut. I've been on telephone banking.

That's ridiculous. I wonder how elderly people go on ...? I can think of several elderly people in my family who wouldn't have a clue how to do telephone banking.

I hope you get it sorted.

choille

Well, I suppose I do live a bit rural.

My elderly neighbour's manage their telephone banking fine.

Funnily enough, or not in my case, I've always shied away from internet banking believing it wasn't safe.

kermitfrog

choille wrote: »

..I've always shied away from internet banking believing it wasn't safe.

I've been doing it for 13 years now without a single security issue, though I'm still trying to get to grips with depositing cheques in the DVD slot.

choille

I have to post the cheques off or put them into the post office in a special envelope. I did think I was being all ethical years back when I opened an account with the co op &, in the main,it is a good bank, but not handy. None is here really.
Well I do my business account with a more main stream one that's only 35 miles away.

Must try that kermit - posting them through the CD slot.

Mindless_Clone

kermitfrog wrote: »

I've been doing it for 13 years now without a single security issue, though I'm still trying to get to grips with depositing cheques in the DVD slot.

:rotfl: If only!

Does anyone actually pay by cheque for anything anymore?


OP, sorry you are having this trouble. Not entirely sure what you signed but my intial thought is, if it wasn't a standing order or a direct debit agreement that the bank has a copy of your signed agreement for, then they have no right to take any money and your bank should not be letting them. If you have expressly informed your bank to block all payments to this scammer they should do so.
If it's still happening, phone up again and ask to speak to a manager. If necessary, use the words "I want to make a complaint" since the old "squeaky wheel gets oiled" cliche does actually seem to hold some weight.

Good luck sorting this out. Let us know how you get on.

choille

Thanks.

It seems that I agreed to join a club & they can dip in & take payments when they send me products from their Sister companies. News to me as I thought that I'd paid for postage of £1.99 to get a free sample.

I paid with my debit card -so they use those details to tap my account - at first the payment was small - that's to see if you're paying attention, then it gets large & larger. But if like me you check your account - well I did when the package arrived with the receipt - I phoned my bank & discovered they'd dipped out the $89.99.

Visa seem to be of the opinion that they will refund me once they've dipped & after a couple of times it stops, but why they don't stop it I don't understand.
I check stuff as I've not got a lot of money, but some people may not realise what's happening.

paddyrg

Mindless_Clone wrote: »

Does anyone actually pay by cheque for anything anymore?

They are still quite useful in the business world TBH, but private cheques are pretty rare now!

pulliptears

Its all very simple, just remember the following mantra and you will never be caught out:

Free samples are FREE.

Completely, utterly, No P+P, FREE. If a reputable company wants you to sample its produce it will send you the sample gratis. Its that simple.

warehouse

OP, if someone has your card details and is using that to access your account, simply change the card. Tell the bank that you want a new visa card and to invalidate your current one. A few days of hassle but worth it.

choille

Pulliptears - I've never been scammed before & I'm pretty sure I'm not an eejit. Your advice is not advise it's very patronising wagging-finger- sort of 'aren't I the clever, superior one'. sort of useless self congratulatory speech to say the least.

Warehouse - I did put this to Visa & my bank & they said there's nothing to stop them 'following' me for payment, but I doubt they would.

I'll get back onto my bank today & see if owt else has gone out.