Someone has setup a standing order on my account!?!

gundo

Was idly checking my Halifax current account on the internet and spotted £50 had been debited via a standing order. Checked the SO details and it was new one and the details didn't match up to anything I knew about.

Rang the Halifax and to cut a long story short it appears an SO has been setup (not by me) which pays £50 every month to a credit card company. I've spoken to the credit card company and they confirm that the account number (part of the SO reference) isn't a card owned by me and in fact they don't have any card accounts in my name or address.

Went into a Halifax branch and as usual queued for up hours to get to a window then was told to speak to a receptionist instead (Grrr!). She didn't seem overly concerned that someone had setup a standing order on my current account without my signature or say so. She took some details and said it's been passed onto the Fraud Team who should contact me within 7 days, if not I'm to pop in again and ask about it!

I'm unimpressed to say the least. I'm now £50 out of pocket and no-one would indicate when I would get this money back. I'm worried that someone is able to access to my current account and setup standing orders - what else may they be able to do?

Recently I've bought a house and during the process any number of people have had access to my financial and personal details, the number of times I had my passport, bank statements, P60s, wage slips and drivers licence photocopied doesn't bear thinking about. Plus I've filled in numerous forms with my address, time at this address, job and employer's details etc. etc.

Halifax have cancelled my debit/cheque card and will issue a new one but in the mean time what else should I be doing? Also what should I expect from the Halifax? Should they be doing more? Should they be acting more quickly? Should I be asking for compensation?

Yours puzzled and worried...

Reaper

Considering the amount of the SO and its destination it doesn't sound like fraud to me. Much more likely is that somebody reversed a couple of digits when typing in the bank account number.

It is up to both the bank and the credit card company to make sure you get your money back. If you incur any fees (e.g. from going into overdraft or having other payments refused) then you should ask for these to be repaid to you too.

It may take a little while to get sorted but you will certainly get your money back and I don't think you have to worry about anyone misusing your bank details.

Joe_Bloggs

This is probably a banking mistake that happens between financial institutions. I won't appologise for them but there may have been compelling reasons why the transaction was allowed to be setup. Don't let this incident ruin your week.
Turn on the charm rather than burst a blood vessel when complaining to the staff who have no prior involvement in your difficulty. It pays to get them on your side. Get names and contact details so you don't have to recount your details over and over to random people.
J_B.

roger56

A good move is to put the situation clearly in a letter and confirm your conversations with the bank etc.
Put the facts only, don't include emotional statements and demanding compensation - at this stage isn't really helpful. Simply end the letter by asking if they (the bank) need any further information from you to recover you money - perhaps give them a phone number to contact you on.
You should also confirm the standing order must be cancelled.

stripeyfox

Make a log of every contact with them by phone or in person. I have an ongoing dispute with my bank over a ATM which didn't dispense any cash but debited my ac. It's been rumbing on for weeks now, but I'm able to log their bumbling incompetence and then present it to them to (hopefully) aid my case.
The bank should be able to offer a temporary refund pending enquiries.

Bossyboots

I thought that this is probably simply a mistake when inputting details but it is worrying though that it has gone through when the account details would not have matched the account name. That should not be possible.

Using the tips from roger56, I would take the suggestion from stripeyfox and ask the bank to refund the money pending enquiries. Alternatively, try the same approach with the credit card company as they have admitted the money is not theirs.

Paul_Varjak

Most likely a mistake but, if you bank online, I would change your online password. Also change your telephone banking password.

I would also change your PIN on credit cards etc, just in case someone has accessed your details.

How was the standing order set up? Was it online or did someone send in a written SO mandate?

gundo

Paul_Varjak wrote:

Most likely a mistake but, if you bank online, I would change your online password. Also change your telephone banking password.

Good idea.

Paul_Varjak wrote:

I would also change your PIN on credit cards etc, just in case someone has accessed your details.

yep

Paul_Varjak wrote:

How was the standing order set up? Was it online or did someone send in a written SO mandate?

Halifax wouldn't tell me.

System

Did you report it to the police? I had to when £300 was taken out of my account fraudulently so that i could get my money re embursed.

This has happened to a woman i know in the next street. We share the same forename, and similar surname. The only thing seperating our addresses (apart from the postcode which incidently is similar), is that i have a '****' at the end of the first line of my address. When i changed suppliers, she had a Direct Debit set up on her bank account. I didnt know at the time, but when i thought the utility company was being a bit slow taking payment they were in fact trying to take money for my gas from this womans account. Its frightening.