Distraction theft of card in branch

Keep_pedalling

Was talking to a friend yesterday who had his joint current account cleaned out after his wife had her deputy card swapped out for a fake one when using a ATM in the branch itself.

While drawing out some cash she had a tap on her shoulder and she was then asked if the £20 note on the floor was hers. After saying it was not hers, she retreaved her card and cash from the machine and went on her way oblivious to the fact that the card she had put back in her purse was no longer hers, and 2 days later her husband tried to draw out some cash with his card only to find that his account was overdrawn just days after both pensions had been payed it.

Although they are getting their money back it does not say much for Barclays security systems, either from the fact that it seems distraction teems can hang around branches without raising suspicions, or the fact that some pretty obvious unusual activity is going on with an account and they do nothing about it.

The first thing the theiving gifts did was to go to another ATM and draw a small amount out to make sure it worked and to check the balance. They then go back to the branch and use an automatic teller (which seem to have replaced people in Barclays) and draw out £2000, go back the next morning draw out another £2000, then go on a shopping spree and push the account into the red.

My friend has had his account for decades and has never drawn large quantities of cash (let alone twice within 24 hours) or ever made use of his OD facility, so why did Barclays not pick up on any of this and put a block on the card, and why have they equipped branched with machines that bypass the daily with cash withdrawal limit with no more security than standard ATM machines.

I bank with Nationwide, and they have blocked our cards on several occasions, over the years so the technology is there, but Barclays seem to be quite content to have to meet the cost of fraud on their customers.

[Deleted User]

Of course, this only works if you get distracted in the moment between the card coming out of the machine, and you taking it out.

Personally, I always hover my hand over the card slot, and the money slot, and take whatever comes out the moment it hits my palm.

If it's in branch, the OP's friend needs to contact the police, and the branch too. CCTV will be used, not only for the card steal, but also for the subsequent withdrawals.

Of course, it may just be that the wife went on a spending spree, later regretted it, and is coming up with stories... who knows.

TrustyOven

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

The first thing the theiving gifts did was to go to another ATM and draw a small amount out to make sure it worked and to check the balance. They then go back to the branch and use an automatic teller (which seem to have replaced people in Barclays) and draw out £2000, go back the next morning draw out another £2000, then go on a shopping spree and push the account into the red.

Right.... and how did they get the PIN for the card?

Browntoa

Shoulder surfing , the less savvy of us do not ever cover the keypad with the other hand while entering the pin , despite the stickers and screens on ATMs telling us to do it

As soon as they see a pin they distract them

MrSilk

£2,000 a day? thought there is a limit of £500?

How did they get the PIN? Hmmm:T

plunt

if they managed to get the pin as well, then surely the person should have been more careful in covering up as she typed the pin in. unfortunate story, and clearly stuff to be learnt from it but there seems to be numerous mistakes on both sides.

Keep_pedalling

Thay got the pin because they watched her put it in, so she obviously did not cover the key pad when she put in.

Yes the bank got the police involved and they have CCTV images of the person or people who took the money out. It looks like this is a team of Eastern European crooks.

Keep_pedalling

MrSilk wrote: »

£2,000 a day? thought there is a limit of £500?

Apparently not if you use one of these machines that have replaced counter staff, which is why this lot seem to have taken the risk of taking the money out in branch.

SnowTiger

MrSilk wrote: »

£2,000 a day? thought there is a limit of £500?

Between £300 and £750 per day according to Barclays.

Don't forget this is second hand story. People exaggerate.

Keep_pedalling

plunt wrote: »

if they managed to get the pin as well, then surely the person should have been more careful in covering up as she typed the pin in. unfortunate story, and clearly stuff to be learnt from it but there seems to be numerous mistakes on both sides.

Don't disagree with that, and I can assure you that she was mortified by the whole thing, I think a lot of people feel a lot safer in the branch than they do using a street machine so are more likely to be careless there.

Keep_pedalling

SnowTiger wrote: »

Between £300 and £750 per day according to Barclays.

Don't forget this is second hand story. People exaggerate.

it's up to £2000 without prior notice over the counter, but all bar one counter in this branch has been automated.