Fraud - where to get help!!

LJL42

My mother is 80 and has Dementia and has been the victim of fraud. These people (could think if stronger words) obviously managed to get my mums bank details and withdraw a significant amount out of her ISA, savings and current account


I have just been given Power of Attorney, so went on-line and checked her account, this is when I noticed, I obviously reported this straight away. The bank are pretty useless, this was a week ago and I had to chase today as I have heard nothing. They have not refunded her any money back at all, all they have said is that they are unable to get the funds back from the fraudsters.


She is with Barclays and I'm aware they are very reluctant to refund and I just wondered if anyone knows where I stand. I have looked into this and I believe the bank have to prove that my mum is at fault, which is obviously not the case.


I am so, so angry, why didn't they stop it? I mean it's defiantly suspicious activity on her account, other banks would have stopped any further transactions taken place.


Please help, I don't want her to lose all her hard earned money

maninthestreet

Call Action Fraud
Have you tried contacting the bank that the money was transferred to?

Sarastro

Who were the fraudsters? If they've taken money from several accounts, you need to contact the police.

You could also try local social services safeguarding team - financial abuse is a safeguarding concern. They may have some advice for you.

Has she actually been the victim of fraud, or has someone taken advantage of her vulnerable state?

takman

How exactly was the money taken?. Did someone log into her online banking and transfer the money out?

dj1471

What actually happened? How was the money taken and by whom?

xylophone

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/mar/12/barclays-fraud-email-con-trick-pressure-bank

LJL42

Yes, I have contracted them and the Police have been informed

jd87

LJL42 wrote: »

managed to get my mums bank details and withdraw a significant amount out of her ISA, savings and current account

More details needed. "Withdraw" how? Over the counter in branch? Online banking? Is it a card payment?

LJL42

They transferred all her money from her ISA and Savings account into her current account, this was done on-line, they then called the bank and transferred the money to another account on the telephone.

dj1471

LJL42 wrote: »

They transferred all her money from her ISA and Savings account into her current account, this was done on-line, they then called the bank and transferred the money to another account on the telephone.

How did they gain access to the online banking and how did they pass the security questions on the phone?

This is important to determine where the liability lies.

jd87

Well they should have a recording of the phone call.

As for the online bit, it is worrying that online banking is even active on such an eldery person's account.

Both online and phone banking require passwords which should be known only to your mother (or you with LPA). Do you know who else could've got access to these passwords/passcodes?
[STRIKE]
I would personally contact the police.[/STRIKE]
What did the police say when you contacted them?