Barclays close daughters account - Your thoughts?

Sakman21

Three weeks ago my daughter's boyfriend fell for a phishing scam and divulged his online banking login details. The scammers then transferred several deposits out to people on his payments list (close friends) one of whom was my daughter. She spotted this and called him so he could look into this. He called her back and told her the sort code and account number to transfer it back. She did so. An hour later he called again in a panic, to tell her that the details he had given were the scammers and not his ( his Dad had got involved at this stage and had checked the details). My daughter contacted Barclays to advise what had happened and they froze her bank account and card. After several days of hearing nothing, she contacted them again to say that her card was missing from the online banking app. She was advised to go into her local branch to re-activate the card. She went to the branch and after waiting for several minutes was advised "due to the investigation carried out, the bank no longer wishes to do business with you and is closing your account. A letter is on its way in the post"
Sure enough, 5 days later a letter turned up stating that they were sorry that she had been a victim of fraud but they were unable to get the money back. No mention of account closure. The next day, a further letter turns up stating that her account has been closed and that they didn't have to give a reason, other than quote S11 P42 of her terms and conditions. One of those conditions states "You use (or allow someone else to use) your account illegally or for criminal activity, including receiving proceeds of crime into your account."
I understand that what she did could be seen as aiding and abetting but given that she didn't give permission for the money to come into her account, it came from a legitimate source and she acted on her boyfriend's instructions. How can they really do this?
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Sam

penners324

They can do it.
She needs to open a bank account with another bank ASAP. And check her credit reports for possible CIFAS markers.
Also lots of explaining as to why her boyfriend gave incorrect bank details, sounds very suspect.

colsten

Daughter might also need a new boyfriend, not just a new bank account.

Sakman21

She opened up an account today with Sterling and so far the credit reports are clear. Her boyfriend was with The Halifax and it was quite an elaborate scam involving fake websites and texts involving his mobile phone provider. They did not find him at fault and have refunded him the lost funds and he gets to keep his account (as did all his friends). They are in their early twenties and have learned a valuable lesson but to lose your bank account in this way I thought was a bit harsh.

colsten

It will be cheaper and less labour-intensive for a bank to simply sever the links with a customer who is connected in some way with a fraudulent account, rather than launch a full-blown investigation. It is also a lot faster for the customer since a full-blown investigation typically takes weeks and can even take months. 

If your daughter was deemed most likely innocent by Barclays, they will not have reported her to CIFAS. She needs to check that on CIFAS, it won't show on her credit files.

D3xt3r5L4b

It’s not really an “elaborate scam”. 

More so the receiver of not paying any attention or due diligence. 

Thrugelmir

Sakman21 said:

The scammers then transferred several deposits out to people on his payments list (close friends) one of whom was my daughter. She spotted this and called him so he could look into this. He called her back and told her the sort code and account number to transfer it back. She did so. An hour later he called again in a panic, to tell her that the details he had given were the scammers and not his

A good try at an explanation. As many holes as a string vest. 

jonnygee2

He called her back and told her the sort code and account number to transfer it back. She did so. An hour later he called again in a panic, to tell her that the details he had given were the scammers and not his 

This is interesting. How did they manage to feed him the incorrect account details and make them think they were his own?

notveryeducated

If your daughter has a CIFAS marker which seems likely, this prevents her from getting a bank account, savings account, mortgage and credit card for 6 years. 

george9071

They are allowed to do this, as PP said i would get a new account opened ASAP due to what is going on your best bet would be to find one you can open by post depending on age, it may not have been her boyfriends fault but make sure the new account she has not to give him the details just in case this happens again.

penners324

Handing out wrong bank details indicates he's incredibly naive or part of the scam.