Fraudulent direct debits set up on my bank account

gratefulone

I have just discovered that direct debits have been going out of my bank account for two companies that I have never dealt with. The direct debits were never set up by me, no one else has access to the account details, and the bank card never leaves the house. The bank has now refunded the amounts and the direct debits have been cancelled. I have reported the fraud to the companies concerned and also to the online fraud department. Can anyone advise me what to do next? I would like some information about the person who used my bank details illegally but the data protection laws currently give them more protection than me so I am unable to get their name. Please could someone advise me what to do next to protect my credit rating and identity and how to pursue this?


Thanks

Archi_Bald

It might have been simply somebody mistyping account numbers. It is unlikely that your name and address or other personal data were used, as all that is required for a DD are sort code and account number.

Your credit rating should not be impacted by unauthorised DDs coming out of your account. Do you have reason to believe it has?

If you are worried about your account being used again, you could switch to another bank. Several banks pay you for switching.

You'll never get the name of the person(s) who set up the DDs. Best to move on. Keep checking that no unauthorised transactions happen in the future.

Ballard

Surely switching banks wouldn't be the answer here as if someone used the account details again (whether accidentally or fraudulently) the direct debit would be redirected.

PeacefulWaters

You've done what needs to be done.

Time to let the victims deal with it now.

Archi_Bald

Ballard wrote: »

Surely switching banks wouldn't be the answer here as if someone used the account details again (whether accidentally or fraudulently) the direct debit would be redirected.

The unauthorised DDs have already been cancelled. If the OP switches account and someone tried to set up new DDs against his old, no longer existing, account in the future, these DDs would be rejected. Only DDs existing at the time of the switch will be transferred to the new account.

Ballard

Archi_Bald wrote: »

The unauthorised DDs have already been cancelled. If the OP switches account and someone tried to set up new DDs against his old, no longer existing, account in the future, these DDs would be rejected. Only DDs existing at the time of the switch will be transferred to the new account.

Okay. I bow to your better knowledge on this one. I was basing my judgement on another recent thread on here where someone said that they'd set up a direct debit on a 'switched from' account and were dismayed when the debit appeared on their new account. My memory could easily be playing me tricks though.

gratefulone

Archi_Bald wrote: »

It might have been simply somebody mistyping account numbers. It is unlikely that your name and address or other personal data were used, as all that is required for a DD are sort code and account number.

Your credit rating should not be impacted by unauthorised DDs coming out of your account. Do you have reason to believe it has?

If you are worried about your account being used again, you could switch to another bank. Several banks pay you for switching.

You'll never get the name of the person(s) who set up the DDs. Best to move on. Keep checking that no unauthorised transactions happen in the future.

Thanks for your replies. Having raised the issue with the bank's complaints dept I was given the person's name (not known by me) so they think the details were entered in error. I'll probably switch that account soon to avoid any further problems.