HSBC bank scam

GeorgePowerFinch

Good evening,

I hope I am posting in the right place.

I'll keep this short and simple...

Three weeks ago I got scammed. I was asked to transfer £915 to someones bank account for some DJ equipment which was sent recorded with a tracking number, except it wasn't DJ equipment he sent it was an empty letter.

52 emails were sent to each other before payment was sent, not the typical scammer type, I know his address, phone number & bank details.

HSBC (my bank) basically said I transferred the money so they won't do anything apart from pass it on to Santander (his bank). They can't discuss it on the phone as they don't have a department for that (for other people to report fraud to their own customers). Action Fraud know about it but they don't investigate all claims so they may just forget it.

I phoned the scammer up today with a blocked caller ID pretending to be the action fraud police (a bit silly I know) but I wanted to see his reaction. He said to me while I was pretending to be an operator that I received the goods but never sent him the money and that he will have to come to my address soon to collect it and that he's reported me to the police and to the bank even though Im the victim. (whether he did or not I don't know).

What else can I do? He's still active on his phone. He didn't reply to my threatening yet realistic email I sent to him saying he will get caught.

I have email proof of all conversations of him saying he posted the item, I have the tracking number and tracking info saying that it was an incorrect address so the letter is being sent back to him and I obviously have proof I sent the funds.

I can go to his address but I can't do much apart from physically get my money back but then I'm in the wrong. I can use his bank details to set up a DD for £915 to my account but then thats fraud on my end!

I'm really stuck as I know I can get my money back but I'm doubtful that Santander will do anything.

colsten

You could consider a Money Claim Online https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim-online

GeorgePowerFinch

I have to pay £60 as a fee which I would get back if it goes to court but how would I know that it would go to court?

mt99

I wish people would realise that paying by bank transfer is like paying by cash - in fact if you had put the money in an envelope and posted it to him it would be pretty much equivalent

The only recourse you now have is via the small claims court

maninthestreet

Post his email address and phone number on here.

soulsaver

Why is this titled HSBC bank scam?

If this isn't a wind up, you have an unfulfilled commercial contract with someone that you need to pursue.

Nothing to do with either bank.

GeorgePowerFinch

Because it was sent via HSBC bank transfer which yes... I did myself but he never sent the goods.

GeorgePowerFinch

Not forgetting I have recorded phone calls I made to this guy and I have email proof and tracking number proof that this was all a scam. Surely the local police in his area can do something about it?

PeacefulWaters

GeorgePowerFinch wrote: »

Not forgetting I have recorded phone calls I made to this guy and I have email proof and tracking number proof that this was all a scam. Surely the local police in his area can do something about it?

They might if you use words like "theft" and "deception".

If they don't you could talk to a solicitor about a private prosecution. Enjoy the bill.

Other than that, MCO.

mt99

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-4654370/Phantom-goods-scams-rise.html

Money_Grabber13579

Do you have the tracking number? This is just a thought but surely Royal Mail (or the courier) must know how much was paid to post it, which would give an indication of size I.e it would distinguish between equipment and a letter? Is that not proof whether it was sent or not?