Bank Details Scam. BEWARE!

Intasun32

At 19.16 last night I received a call from a young lady who introduced herself as Livie Vittel. She said that she represented 'my bank', the Metropolitan Police and the FSA. She informed me that a fraudulent attempt had been made to use my debit card at 3.17pm that afternoon at the Apple Store in Regent Street London for an amount of £1499.00.She asked if I was in possession of my cards, to which she showed a great interest, I replied that I was.

Being more than aware of various scams I asked her several times as to which bank and card number the attempted fraud was made, to which she replied that she could not give me that information due to data protection.

When quizzed she told me that her office was based at Elm Street London EC1 and the number was 0207 239 7**2, the number turned out to be a restaurant. She then asked me to tell her the customer service telephone number printed at the bottom of the rear of debit card. Not giving any information I again asked for the last four numbers and the bank of the card that was in question and other questions including how she had obtained my home number this is when she put down the phone.

I called my banks Customer Service department immediately and was surprised by the lack of interest that was shown. It was confirmed that no debit had been made on either of my accounts and I asked the advisor for a note of the incident be placed on my account to which I was informed that only the call time would be logged.

The advisor did tell me to call the police to report the incident which was to be my next step after calling the bank. I am happy to say that the police showed far more interest than my bank, perhaps customer security and scams are not a priority for banks now?

My bank? The Nationwide.

:beer:

dalesrider

Well done.

Bet the next step would have been to say that they were sending someone to pick up your card. Then could you just key your PIN into the phone to confirm security.

I would ring nationwide again and ask to speak to the fraud department. They will be well aware of this scam.

antrobus

This was the Courier Fraud in action.

Credit to the OP for being able to frustrate it.

innovate

Well done for not falling for the scam. Just shows you have to be on your guard round the clock.

As to Nationwide's recommendation to report it to the police: what else would you expect them to do? No bank/BS has the resources, and powers, required to investigate this sort of scam.

maninthestreet

Are you sre you spoke to the real police? There was a thread recently about a similar scam where the scammers didnt not hang up, and when the victim attempted to call the police, they were actually speaking to the scammers.

viv0147

I would like to recommend a website that covers scams and many more false myths etc which is free to use snope.com it's very informative and interesting

Dirk_Gently_2

maninthestreet wrote: »

Are you sre you spoke to the real police? There was a thread recently about a similar scam where the scammers didnt not hang up, and when the victim attempted to call the police, they were actually speaking to the scammers.

And a similar one where the person was advised to call back to their bank (using the number on their card) - but the fraudsters didn't hang up and so the line was still open when the call was made. They played a recording of a dialling tone and the phone ringing and so the caller thought that he was through to his bank, who verified that they'd send someone to collect the cards ......

The moral is don't trust anyone who calls out of the blue, and if you're going to ring to verify a caller's identity do it from another phone (e.g. a mobile) - or make another call first.

soolin

Both parties Do not need to hang up to disconnect a phone call. If OP put phone down picked it up again and had a dial tone then he was NOT still talking to the scammers.

Dirk_Gently_2

soolin wrote: »

Both parties Do not need to hang up to disconnect a phone call.

I know, that's what I'm saying. If the caller doesn't disconnect it leaves the line open for a certain period.

soolin wrote: »

If OP put phone down picked it up again and had a dial tone then he was NOT still talking to the scammers.

If it's a genuine dial tone correct. If it's a recording of dial tone being played down the still-open line then he was.

MuffinTops

soolin wrote: »

Both parties Do not need to hang up to disconnect a phone call. If OP put phone down picked it up again and had a dial tone then he was NOT still talking to the scammers.

It takes the call originator to disconnect the call.

Gromitt

soolin wrote: »

Both parties Do not need to hang up to disconnect a phone call. If OP put phone down picked it up again and had a dial tone then he was NOT still talking to the scammers.

Only if the OP had an authentic dial tone. I've tried to get rid of someone before by hanging up. Left it about 30 seconds, picked up the phone again and they were still there, waffling on.

I've had other people saying "I'm calling from your bank". "Which bank is that.", "I'm afraid I can't tell you". "Bye!".