Halifax card fraud - am I liable? Panicking!

alstemp

Hi everyone - I recently applied for a Halifax Clarity credit card and was approved. Got confirmation from them on 22 August. But never recieved any PIN number (which comes first) by post or the card itself. thinking banks sometimes take ages to get things out I wasn't unduly concerned but called today to see if all OK.

Well apparently my card has already been used - to £1,053 of the £1,200 credit limit!! My address is Flat 5, 70 XX Gardens and they are saying that the card was addressed to me at just 70 XX Gardens. but that shouldn't have made an issue as it should still have been posted through the communal letterbox for the block.

anyway - they then put me through to fraud team. who said i have to go into nearest Halifax branch to identify myself with passport and then they will call Halifax fraud team from the branch with my case number. no one will confirm if I am liable for the money or not so I am panicking big time.

the card has obviously been stopped in the meantime.

has anyone else experienced anything similar? surely Halifax has insurance for this type of thing and I won't have to pay this bill for some nasty criminal's spendings (incidentally one major cash withdrawal and a very big dinner in London!)

thanks for any advice

lisyloo

You are not liable for fraud unless you have been negligent e.g. leaving PIN number written down.
You haven't been negligent so you aren't liable.
It's Halifax's decision to use Royal Mail.

I would go to the branch and also report the theft of your post and your credit card to the police.

grumbler

I don't see any possible reasons for you to be liable.

However, I don't understand why you think that "that shouldn't have made an issue as it should still have been posted through the communal letterbox for the block."
If everyone from the block has access to this letterbox then anyone could have intercepted your card and PIN.

lisyloo

"that shouldn't have made an issue as it should still have been posted through the communal letterbox for the block."

The OP is saying there is no issue with it being delivered to the wrong address.
You are of course correct that there is an issue with it being delivered somewhere that it could easily have been stolen.

I think this is Halifax's problem. Using Royal Mail is their choice.

wiseshark

I think this is Halifax's problem. Using Royal Mail is their choice.[/QUOTE]

Yes, indeed it is Halifax's problem. Many card issuers use Royal Mail and some try to disguise it, although not always successful while others attempted disguise is often obvious, so why bother.

In 2002 I remember HSBC delivered to my address a now defunct Switch card and a credit card by courier for which I had to sign and show ID. Sadly they no longer appear to continue this service
instead opting for the cheaper delivery by post.

dalesrider

lisyloo wrote: »

I would go to the branch and also report the theft of your post and your credit card to the police.

Well clearly someone in your block of flats is less than honest.

I would ask for the next card to be delivered to branch. The PIN should not be able to be redirected anywhere, but your address.

Halifax should have a contact at the Post Office. I know we do. I also know the PO do take this very seriously and will investigate the matter.

In no way should you get anything like this delivered to a communal post box.

As to liability. You should be Ok.

gezza2k

Normally you have to activate the card either online or by telephone, cant remember if I did or didn't with my clarity card but I did with my new Santander card.
I would goto police & get a crime ref number, hopefully if the fraudsters used it to buy something online the police can get the address from the store.
Cant be that hard for them but wont hold my breath

bengal-stripe

gezza2k wrote: »

Normally you have to activate the card either online or by telephone......

That's what I wondered about.

I believe, I had to activate every single new or replacement card. Some years back, it had to be done by phone (when they tried to sell you insurance), now it can do it on-line (no hard sell). During the activation, you will be asked for additional information to verify that you are the actual card holder.

Over the years, I had cards delivered by courier or in fancy envelopes to look like birthday cards.

grumbler

dalesrider wrote: »

...Halifax should have a contact at the Post Office. I know we do. I also know the PO do take this very seriously and will investigate the matter.

In no way should you get anything like this delivered to a communal post box.

PO = Post Office?
If so, what's "anything like this"? An ordinary letter addressed to "70 XX Gardens"?

Halifax is here the only one to blame for this !!!! up.

James

gezza2k wrote: »

I would goto police & get a crime ref number;)

Here is the official line for reporting fraud. I confirmed this online yesterday with Action Fraud.


14:11:20 : Graham: Hello James, youare chatting with Graham, thanks for contacting us, how can I assist you?(Please do not reveal personal data during this web chat)



14:11:44 : James: Hi Graham, whoshould you report debit and credit card fraud to these days?



14:13:15 : Graham: You can report creditand debit card fraud to us. The easiest way to make a report is to use our online fraud reporting tool at: www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud



14:14:05 : James: Thanks very much for the information, much appreciated. That's all



14:14:40 : Graham: Is there anything else I can help you with?



14:16:19 : James: No. but thank you very much. I must say though, from a citizens perspective it is very unclear who you should report fraud to. Is it your Card Issuer, Local Police or Action Fraud? I presume from your answer that Action Fraud is a one-stop-shop.



14:17:44 : Graham: Action Fraud records fraud crime and information on behalf of the police as well as offering advice and support to victims of fraud
I would recommend reporting fraud through us but also letting your card issuer know.



14:18:13 : James: Thanks Graham thatis quite clear now. Appreciated.



14:18:39 : Graham: Thank you for yourenquiry, if you need any further assistance you can chat between 9am and 6pmMonday to Friday or call on 0300 123 2040 between 8am to 9pm Monday to Fridayor 9am to 5pm at weekends.

Hope this helps. It should also help your case in so much as you've reported it as fraud, and puts the ball back into your card issuers court.

I agree with the afore mentioned advice. Unless your card issuer can prove you were negligent then you should have your monies credited forthwith.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

lisyloo

hopefully if the fraudsters used it to buy something online the police can get the address from the store

Only if they aren't very bright :-)