Paid owed money trough gambling website

bbarroso

Hi guys,

Would need some advice regarding this, not sure where it would be more adequate to post, so, moderators, feel free to change to a more suitable place.

Recently my OH borrowed money to someone. AT the time we had a joint bank account, so she used this person's computer to input the bank details. I had no idea about this. As it turns out I now received the payment from a company called intouchgames.co.uk and asked what was this about.

Is there any reason to suspect, the same way they placed money in, they can use the details to withdraw money as well? Similarly, could the person have access to the bank details and use them for unlawfull purposes? She said she placed the details herself, but surely the list of transactions should reveal them later...

What steps should I take if this is the case?

Many Thanks

Flobberchops

Pet peeve: your OH lent money to someone. They borrowed money from her.

As for the rest, I get the feeling this isn't the full story. Was she giving money to a person, or a company? Are you sure it was a loan and not gambling activity?

The only way the company could take your money is if she had provided card details, not just account details. I.e. the long card number, expiry date, security code and cardholder's name, which would effectively make it a continuous authority payment. If she was signing up to a gambling site she may well have divulged these details.

Simply transferring money to a person through online banking wouldn't give them enough information to withdraw money from your account, but it's probably important you know for sure which of the two previously mentioned payment methods was used.

You probably won't know for sure what's gone on and what payments or authority has been given until it happens - and simply cancelling your card isn't sufficient to withdraw authority once its been given. I'd say check your statement regularly and speak to your bank as soon as something concerning comes up. And have a very stern conversation with your other half.

bbarroso

Thanks for pointing that

She was lending money to her lover which had no money to pay for his electric/gas/etc after moving to a new property. Poor guy [shoot him!]... This was by Western Union and he paid back a portion (according to her) using money, with the remaining using a gambling website, into the bank account

I don't know any more details, we had a joint bank account at the time, but her name has since been removed for obvious reasons, so I am now the sole account owner.

As far as I know she hasn't used (her) card details to withdraw money from the account, but somehow has typed the details on this website for them to process the payment as a means for him to pay her back. I'm guessing sort code and account number, but will try to figure out. Now these are still the same despite her name having been removed from the account hence my concern!

I have checked for direct debits and nothing new there, but just wanted to double check there is no other way they could make a withdrawal with whatever information they used to put that money into my account.

Thanks

Dird

You, your OH and her lover? Strange world. Your name isn't Tyler Durden is it?

teddysmum

Close the account and open another in your sole name and don't divulge any details to either party.

bbarroso

Dird wrote: »

You, your OH and her lover? Strange world. Your name isn't Tyler Durden is it?

You got that right, strange world. You'd think you know someone after 7 years of marriage, but clearly you still come across the unthinkable.

teddysmum wrote: »

Close the account and open another in your sole name and don't divulge any details to either party.

Yep that's probably what I'm going to do. Keep this one just to send out payments for my child and open a different one.

Anyway thank you guys.

bbarroso

Quick question, whats the best way to open a bank account without having a UK address?

Ill be moving overseas temporarily due to work (Still working for a UK company) so until my return I wont have a fixed UK address. I'm guessing this might be an issue when trying to get a new bank account.

Mr.Generous

just change online password or better still open another account with same bank then close existing one, that way she won't have acc number. Or make sure account has zero overdraft allowed and leave 1p in it and open second account. Explain to bank that account cannot be allowed to go overdrawn and NOT to transfer any funds into it without your express permission.

bbarroso

Only I know the passwords, she never had access to online banking.
That seems like a lot of hassle. How about transferring my account to another bank? I'm guessing I should automatically be given a new account and have all my DD transferred... Or would it be best (security wise) to open a fresh one without any linking to the old one?

Thanks

Archi_Bald

bbarroso wrote: »

....she used this person's computer to input the bank details. I had no idea about this. As it turns out I now received the payment from a company called intouchgames.co.uk and asked what was this about.

Are you saying you wife gave your sort code and account number to her lover? Are you sure she didn't just use her debit card? And now you have received money from intouchgames.co.uk ?

Looking at intouchgames.co.uk, they appear to be closed for business just now but they do have 2 gaming sites that look active. It appears that someone (your wife? her lover?) has an account there and won some money, then withdrawn it into your account - either by specifying a sort code & acct number, or - more likely, a debit card number. It is quite possible the money was laundered, and you might want to ask your bank to remove it from your account, in order to not be associated with any illegal money movements.

bbarroso wrote: »

How about transferring my account to another bank? I'm guessing I should automatically be given a new account

This is not how it works. If you want to switch accounts, you must first apply for an account at another bank. When the account is open, you can then ask the new bank to switch your old account. This will transfer all your existing SOs and DDs. This guide might be helpful: http://www.which.co.uk/money/bank-accounts/guides/switching-your-bank-account/how-to-switch-your-bank-account-/

jonesMUFCforever

Two words in post 3 ''Western Union'' should spell in capitals big trouble.

Get control by closing this account and opening a new one.
For all you know the funds could be coming from a stolen/hacked/fraudulent account.