Claiming money back after fraud

Michael_Stevens

Thanks for the information, I sent a letter last week to the financial ombudsman but on the website they said I may have to wait 2 months for a reply but considering the fraud occured 18 months ago and individuals have been prosecuted, is there anyway the matter can be resolved sooner. I ask this because the bills are mounting up.
P.s. it was a credit card

Michael_Stevens

Also on a related topic, in late October early November my flat was burgled. Along with the thieves taking some jewellery and some small electrical devices they stole my passport along with my bank book. They took all the money out of my account and took some money from my overdraft. The police are currently investigating but I had to pay the overdraft bill and the Halifax have so for failed to refund the money I used to settle the bill. Can anyone tell me how to resolve this problem as soon as possible?

Bravehearted_2

Seriously, you may have a target on your back. Like an inside job, someone you know is targeting you.

Scorned ex?

Michael_Stevens

No that's not the case. The fraud in the US I'm sure was by a criminal gang because a few months later it was revealed cops had arrested individuals in the area I was visiting. While the robbery accrued when I was out of town for a few weeks. However the problems have all come at once which is so frustrating and that's why I needed to resolve these matter now because it's making my life very difficult.

meer53

Something not quite right here.

No bank or credit card company would ask you to pay any money towards confirmed fraud on your account. It would be refunded in full, UNLESS they have reason to believe you are involved.

For a bank and a CC issuer to do the same thing sounds highly suspicious. I've worked in card fraud for 19 years and have never heard a story like this. I have also never heard of a customer being told that an arrest and conviction have taken place, unless the customer is called as a witness in the case. I've also never heard of a card issuer "pausing" transactions, the minute fraud is reported, the card should be stopped.

OP, you should contact Amex and Halifax to get this sorted, i somehow don't think we are being given the full story though.

Michael_Stevens

I only found my credit card was being used fraudulently after the initial transactions occured that's why I had to pay the bill. AMX themselves admit that initially you have to cover the cost and be refunded after they have investigated the fraudulent claims. I believe my credit card was scammed while in the US. The American Express card was in June 2011 while my flat was burgled in 2012 Oct so there not related. Some companies do pause credit card transactions while the investigate. I just want to know how I can get my money back because I believe AMX are dragging there feet.

degsy24

I too have just been a victim of either fraud or a mistake by Tesco credit card. I saw a transaction on my December account for £559 which was not made by either me or my wife as joint card holders. I immediately contacted Tesco who sent a dispute form to fill out. They said that it sounded like a mistake rather than fraud as there was only one transaction involved. They did NOT stop the cards and allowed us to make more transactions. I only paid what I owed and did not pay the disputed amount as I did not want to be in the position described here of trying to chase it up later trying to claim it back. Also I could not afford it as it would have meant going overdrawn at the bank and incurring bank charges. I budget for my spending and was adamant that I was not going to pay for a bill that I didn't incur. When I got my next statement it included a sum of £85 interest. Rather than pay the whole bill, including the spurious amount, I decided just to pay what I owed and again didn't pay the disputed amount or the interest. I have since made large additional purchases on my card so my next bill will include further high interest fees....which I won't be paying either! When I spoke to Tesco fraud dept they said that they had made a mistake and should have cancelled the cards immediately I informed them. They have now done this and we are awaiting new cards. They are investigating. The fraud/mistake apparently concerns an internet order. I am anticipating having to write letters etc to avoid all payments that are not down to me which includes the original disputed amount and all subsequent interest. This is however better than paying up front for a bill that is not yours and then struggling to get the money back. I would advise anyone in a similar situation not to pay a bill that they KNOW is not theirs. Also I would never use my debit card on line or over the phone as any fraudster could empty my bank account. At least with a credit card you are dealing with 'virtual money' which you have not actually handed over.

meer53

You should make a formal complaint to Amex and Halifax, then if it's not resolved you can take your complaint to the FOS. The FOS will expect you to do this first before asking them to intervene.

dalesrider

Michael_Stevens wrote: »

Some companies do pause credit card transactions while the investigate. I just want to know how I can get my money back because I believe AMX are dragging there feet.

Like Meer53 I work in fraud.

In fraud cases there is no such thing as pause. Once all the fraud has debited the account is refunded.
As far as you would go other than possibly having to sign some paperwork. That is the end as far as the customer goes.
Unless customer involvement is suspected.

Unless you are thinking of when a transaction is diisputed and it is then placed into dispute (could simply be a play on words here). What that means is the transaction is frozen, the amount is not payable or intrest applied and is back in avaiable spend.

degsy24.

It is a fine line between fraud and a dispute. It is a decision that is based as much on the experience of the person you speek to as much as anything else.
All card providers work to diffrent guidelines and even then they can be overruled by the rep.
Remember that rep is working on your behalf and is not going to put them at a higher risk of further losses.

Also I would never use my debit card on line or over the phone as any fraudster could empty my bank account.

Funny as it seems it is better to have fraud on a debit card than a credit card.
PSD (payment services directive) dictates a refund staraight away on debit cards. Unless customer involvement is suspected.
So on a debit card you will get a far quicker and less complicated situation than a credit card.

scootw1

Vanquis terms state that a transaction unauthorized by the card holder is suspended what does that mean exactly? When I reported mine on Monday the lady said I could not do anything until the transaction was on my statement. When it appeared it could no longer be stopped. Should the woman on Monday have suspended the transaction as she could see it but I could not?