bank closed sons account and accused him of fraud

Butch_Dingle

Agree with you completely masonic, anyway let's hope the police catch the scum who did this to the OP's son and the bank reimburses him once they're satisfied he's a genuine victim here.

18cc

Yes there is a separate google play store inside the secure folder from which you can install any apps.

The only one I have had problems with is Barclays but that was some time ago. I have NWide, LLoyds, Halifax, 'B', Natwest, HSBC, FD and challenger banks in my secure folder

BooJewels

I don't have a smart phone, but do use a tablet, but don't have any apps for things like banking. The odd time I need to use it away from home, I just log in to the web page for the on-line bank, just the same as I do on my PC. I don't even have them bookmarked.

I may be being naive, but is this a safer way on a mobile device to access things like banks, rather than a visible app that immediately gives a clue as to where you bank? (If they're not secured as 18cc suggested).

Because surely the thieves in the OP's case must have know where the son banked and that he had an appropriate app on a suitable phone, that drugging him would get access to. Is that suggestive that it was someone who knew him well enough all along?

Thrugelmir

Paying someone else in itself isn't fraud. Something seems to be missing from the story. Has your son become involved in something more than he is saying. Not disputing the kidnapping story either.

18cc

Some people say that apps are a bit more secure than web access on a desktop because a desktop can get a virus that eg monitors what you do and steals your banking credentials. An app cannot get a virus so is more secure.

That said, if you are careful then there is probably not much difference between the two other than aps let you bank whilst 'out and about'

PS I do believe that bank's fraud filters tend to be 'happier' when payments are made from apps rather than browsers but I have no definitive proof of this.

agrinnall

robatwork wrote: »

Get your local and national newspapers involved. This is a "juicy" story, and as long as it makes sense this may put pressure on the bank to recant.

But unlikely to be looked on kindly by the police while there is still an investigation in progress.

EachPenny

agrinnall wrote: »

But unlikely to be looked on kindly by the police while there is still an investigation in progress.

I agree. If the police felt it helpful there might have been a news story already... for example asking for witnesses to come forward, or anyone else who has been in this situation but not previously reported it.

The OP would of course know about this already, and as I suggested earlier, really ought to be speaking to the victim support staff.

ETA: For example:-
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-45612105

BooJewels

18cc wrote: »

Some people say that apps are a bit more secure than web access on a desktop because a desktop can get a virus that eg monitors what you do and steals your banking credentials. An app cannot get a virus so is more secure.

I was actually meaning whether an incognito browser log in would be safer than using an app - on a mobile device specifically - where a virus isn't so much of a risk. I understand that computer browsers and apps are different beasts and each carry their own particular risks.

masonic

BooJewels wrote: »

I was actually meaning whether an incognito browser log in would be safer than using an app - on a mobile device specifically - where a virus isn't so much of a risk. I understand that computer browsers and apps are different beasts and each carry their own particular risks.

If part of the online banking login process uses a cookie to 'remember' you and ask for fewer security details when you visit next time, then it could be less safe to use incognito mode and enter all of your information each time if your session is being observed.

BooJewels

masonic wrote: »

If part of the online banking login process uses a cookie to 'remember' you and ask for fewer security details when you visit next time, then it could be less safe to use incognito mode and enter all of your information each time if your session is being observed.

Do you mean that it can be safer to have it remember some info, rather that entering it each time - in case of keyboard loggers, people just watching etc?

I personally don't ever type sensitive info in, never would dream of doing something as important as banking in public and rarely even get my old phone out in public - but was playing devil's advocate really in case it helps anyone improve their personal security, as I'm learning myself all the time.

Threads like this serve as a lesson to all of us as to how vulnerable we can all be.