Phantom Cash Machine Withdrawals

Alan1944

For some years I have experienced occasional phantom cash withdrawals from my current account. I keep a record of my spending, including cash so I am sure these withdrawals have not been due to forgetfulness, as the bank suggests and my cash spending balances with the cash I take out. The phantom withdrawal is always from a machine that I have used recently, for the usual amount I take out (£30) and at a similar time of day to my last transaction. I first noticed this when I used the HSBC bank in the centre of Norwich (where I lived at the time) and ceased when I changed to using the cash machines in the nearby Lloyds bank. I have now moved to Sheffield and I experienced the same thing from a cash machine in my local Co-Op store, so I changed to using the machine at a nearby Sainsbury's. And just this week another phantom withdrawal has occurred from a Virgin Money machine at Sheffield railway station. This showed up as Onenote on my statement. I know this is not my failing memory, or a family member using my card or my having mislaid my card and PIN at any time. However, as these are small amounts (£30) each time, I have chosen to write them off and not make a fuss. Has anyone else had this experience?

jonesMUFCforever

No because IMO they did not happen as you wrote it.

PeacefulWaters

Either you're lying, forgetting, or have a friend/family member borrowing your card to steal your money.

It's no more complex than those options.

Shakin_Steve

Spooky. Have you contacted ghostbusters?

[Deleted User]

Small amounts? £30? On each occasion? That adds up to a bigger number.

I would suggest requesting a new card and PIN as a start

BooJewels

Did you not change your PIN after the first one, that would eliminate the possibility of someone 'borrowing' your card for a short while?

If I were dishonest and wanted to commit such a crime, keeping the fraudulent act as close to reality as possible would be much less likely to arouse suspicion, where using a cash machine you never went near would ring alarm bells much faster.

I would suggest giving careful thought to your routine and where your card was supposed to be at the time of these 'ghost' transactions might help solve the mystery. And as Gary suggested, change your PIN immediately and request a new card.

robatwork

Alan1944 wrote: »

I have chosen to write them off and not make a fuss. Has anyone else had this experience?

No. Nobody here would write that off and not make a fuss. In fact I doubt anyone here actually believes your story.

There's another explanation, but sadly as you're a new poster this will be another thread that, like "Dexter" has no satisfactory ending.

[Deleted User]

11pm newbie poster. I wonder if some people are drunk when they decide to post nonsense on here. What do they get out of it?

d123

Alan1944 wrote: »

For some years I have experienced occasional phantom cash withdrawals from my current account. I keep a record of my spending, including cash so I am sure these withdrawals have not been due to forgetfulness, as the bank suggests and my cash spending balances with the cash I take out. The phantom withdrawal is always from a machine that I have used recently, for the usual amount I take out (£30) and at a similar time of day to my last transaction. I first noticed this when I used the HSBC bank in the centre of Norwich (where I lived at the time) and ceased when I changed to using the cash machines in the nearby Lloyds bank. I have now moved to Sheffield and I experienced the same thing from a cash machine in my local Co-Op store, so I changed to using the machine at a nearby Sainsbury's. And just this week another phantom withdrawal has occurred from a Virgin Money machine at Sheffield railway station. This showed up as Onenote on my statement. I know this is not my failing memory, or a family member using my card or my having mislaid my card and PIN at any time. However, as these are small amounts (£30) each time, I have chosen to write them off and not make a fuss. Has anyone else had this experience?

1. You're making the withdrawals with your card.
2. Someone you know is making the withdrawals with your card.
3. This is a made up story.
4. Jeremy Beadle is about.

It sounds like one of the above.

sausage_time

If these are attributable to Jeremy Beadle, then they most certainly are phantom withdrawals!

robatwork

sausage_time wrote: »

If these are attributable to Jeremy Beadle, then they most certainly are phantom withdrawals!

Amazing how someone who is so edgy and impressive on the radio turns out to be a total douche once they get on TV.

Beadle mostly, Evans not far behind.

This is about as on topic as the original post.