Possible silly mistake - what next?

oligopoly

A friend texted me late last night as I was falling asleep asking to borrow £40. I said no worries and to send me his bank details for me to do it in the morning. Woke up very early with the little one and transferred it in a half asleep state. It was only when telling my wife later that we both twigged that it could have been a con. There were a couple of things in his texts which sounded a little odd. I've tried contacting my friend since but no answer yet.

I won't take any action until I've heard back from my friend but if he has no idea what I'm talking about - and someone has hijacked his phone - who do I contact first? Bank or police?

Thanks in advance.

colsten

It's not a case for the bank. If anything, it's for the Police. But.

If it was a request from your friend, he will surely pay you back your £40.

If it wasn't a request from your friend, he had not only his phone stolen but also his bank account hacked and/or his debit card and PIN stolen (as otherwise the thief couldn't get at the £40). It sounds unlikely that any criminal would go to such lengths for a mere £40. Did any of your other mates get asked for help?

oligopoly

colsten wrote: »

If it wasn't a request from your friend, he had not only his phone stolen but also his bank account hacked and/or his debit card and PIN stolen (as otherwise the thief couldn't get at the £40). Did any of your other mates get asked for help?

I presumed someone sas just chancing it with their own bank account. From the stories in the local news I bet they'd barely get a slap on the wrist. Could be a youngster, could be an addict looking for a quick amount and firing out the message to the whole phone book. Anyway, all speculation until I hear back from him. Just my head's spinning at the moment.

colsten

How would anyone get money out of your friend's account?

oligopoly

colsten wrote: »

How would anyone get money out of your friend's account?

'He' texted me his bank details. Hence the silly mistake!

colsten

oligopoly wrote: »

'He' texted me his bank details. Hence the silly mistake!

Assuming by "details" you mean sort code and account number.

So how would anyone get money out of his bank account? Think about it.

chris_m

colsten wrote: »

Assuming by "details" you mean sort code and account number.

So how would anyone get money out of his bank account? Think about it.

I think the OPs concerned that the text (and the bank details) might not have been his mate's.

oligopoly

That's right. Whoever found his phone! But no hopefully everything's legit and i can laugh at my lapse in intelligence. If it is dodgy then I'll give the local police a call. Thanks

eDicky

Would a transfer go through if the name is not correct - ie. the friend's name at the impersonator's account?

LXdaddy

eDicky wrote: »

Would a transfer go through if the name is not correct - ie. the friend's name at the impersonator's account?

Yes - of course the name on the account is not checked. That's the cause of many problems when someone makes a typing error on a bank account number when sending funds - they go to the account number as typed regardless of account name.

oligopoly

eDicky wrote: »

Would a transfer go through if the name is not correct - ie. the friend's name at the impersonator's account?

I'm guessing yes as the name could be Mr M Lewis, Mr Martin Lewis etc. If you put the name as Tom Jones I'm not sure the bank would question it ?