Is it safe to give bank card number and 3 digit card security code on telephone?

sawit

A relative has had money taken from their account for fraudulent purchases made at Topps Tiles. We are trying to work out how this has happened. The bank have refunded the money as it is clearly a fraudulent transaction but they have not explained how it happened. We are wondering if card details (number, 3 digits from signature strip, expiry etc) given for telephone transactions might be the cause. Any ideas?

PeacefulWaters

It's one of numerous possible sources.

But unlikely to be the one.

You'll never know for sure.

RG2015

The same thing happened to me two years ago and the bank were quick to advise me and refund the money. The bank would not however tell me how this had happened.

I received a replacement card and have not had any problems since then. I am reasonably confident that if it happened again that my bank would pick it up quickly.

bigadaj

In many cases I'd have said details given by phone would be less subject to problems than when submitted online but it will vary.

sawit

Telephone operators taking card details for payments have all the information they need to make fraudulent transactions or to sell the info on. Is this not just as likely as software based fraud? Do companies have anything in place, other than staff screening, to prevent this happening?

RG2015

sawit wrote: »

Telephone operators taking card details for payments have all the information they need to make fraudulent transactions or to sell the info on. Is this not just as likely as software based fraud? Do companies have anything in place, other than staff screening, to prevent this happening?

Which is more likely; a criminal telephone operator or being hacked online? I am sure that a statistician somewhere will be able to tell us.

However, both are possible so it is down to us to be careful with our cards and security information and to check our bank and credit card balances regularly.

I am sure that companies do have security measures in place but they are not going to reveal these as this will just assist those with criminal intent.

PixelPound

Why assume it was the CVV? I used to work in a retail store and for telesales we never asked for that, just card number and expiry date. It could have been a mistyping in of someone elses number and why the bank returned it quickly as the name didn't match.

The financial services sector do tend to screen employees, but that's simply a financial check and a criminal record check. I suppose it just means they have not been caught yet - what else could they do?

Mind you, if it was just used in a store, its unlikely to be someone selling it on but an employee of the store. Had your relative shopped there recently?

Shakin_Steve

I hate giving my card details and cvv out over the phone, I always try to use PayPal or the like.

p00hsticks

RG2015 wrote: »

Which is more likely; a criminal telephone operator or being hacked online? I am sure that a statistician somewhere will be able to tell us.

I think more likely than either of those is simply being overheard making the transaction - when I used to commute by train it amazed me how many people would happily give out card number, expiry date and CVV over the phone in a voice loud enough for the entire carriage to hear.

And the same when working in an open plan office.

teddysmum

The wrongful debit could just be due to human error in typing one digit incorrectly.


Before I married, I asked for my bank account to be in my married name ,as my first salary would be in that name. However, they paid my salary into the account of someone with the my first name and maiden name. (easily sorted).


My husband received a solicitor's letter about his supposed collision in a car with his correct registration plate but incorrect make and colour. This was a case of one digit being mis-typed by their secretary.

GingerFurball_2

RG2015 wrote: »

The same thing happened to me two years ago and the bank were quick to advise me and refund the money. The bank would not however tell me how this had happened.

I received a replacement card and have not had any problems since then. I am reasonably confident that if it happened again that my bank would pick it up quickly.

How exactly are the bank meant to know how it's happened?

If a fraudulent payment occurs then it's because someone knows your card details. Quite how you expect the bank to know how this has happened is beyond me.