Bank Transfer Scam

eskbanker

Jewelscollectingdust said:

We were allowed to draw some cash - but they did a calculation ( I couldn’t tell you how they came to the numbers )  to determine how much we could have. They looked at salary going in etc etc 
So Cap in hand I was told how much of my own money I could have !!
To  compound matters it will not be enoughto  pay our regular bills ! - never mind anything else and I will likely have to borrow from family if it drags on for any period of time 

Were you given the impression that the cash withdrawal was only permitted to be a one-off?  My expectation would be that if it drags on and you're approaching hardship then you should be able to repeat the process in order to pay essential bills, etc.

Jewelscollectingdust

We queried this - didn’t get a direct answer - more a roundabout explanation - saying they only make allowances for certain types of funds coming out
Salary is one of them 
Apparently if benefits go into the account all of those can be withdrawn - but that’s not applicable for us 
If the investigation was lengthy - withdrawals would only be periodic - probably monthly after salary normally paid  
Although I assume the freeze essentially would stop husbands salary going in !!!
Not chancing it - We have already took steps to get husbands salary altered and paid into new account 

born_again

Brie said:

One way around this being an issue is by making the bank transfer by phoning the bank rather than doing it online.  Then you can get them to add a message about what it's about.  That's the point when OP JCD can insist that the person paying adds "gold invoice 123456".  This would ensure that the payer knows what their payment is for giving the bank no option on how to deal with any complaints.  There doesn't need to be any mention of potential fraud rather "if you do that then it's easier for my accountant to match the payments to deliveries" or some similar line.  

I must admit I get annoyed that the online banking isn't just a bit more user friendly as I would like to be able to add a message myself when making payments.  In the end I'm reliant on companies getting second, tenth or twentieth payment from me and knowing easily what matches what as I can't add something like "July fees".  (& no I am not in a position to change my bank in the next few years.)

Always get the option to set up a reference with any new payment via online banking. How else will the receiver know what the payment is about?
Same if you want to amend the reference. Although that may require a code to be entered to confirm the change.

Shakin_Steve

Please don't disappear on us like so many do, I want to hear this through to a conclusion. Thanks.

Jewelscollectingdust

hello again 

No I will not disappear - I did get a lot of help for which I am very grateful. 
To be honest it’s been easier to learn how the procedures work from the posters here than anything that’s been told me by the bank staff themselves who have given out a lot of misinformation - maybe not deliberately - but poor information anyway  - The insight here has been very valuable. I feel less bewildered because I understand
Information to any problem is always key 

I’m surmising with the case being thrown back to the other ladies bank for her to supply her evidence   - they will likely allow a time frame for her to respond with the information - maybe they give her a date to supply it by  ??
Does anyone know if her bank would have been frozen her account as well ?? - or as the receiver of the funds that only happens to me ?? if hers is frozen then maybe that’s an incentive to do this sooner rather than later ????

Batesy1976

born_again said:

Batesy1976 said:

Edit:  And that's nothing to say of people claiming they were scammed to get their money back and the item, with the banks unwilling and largely unable to verify the truth of the claims.

The issue is the banks are not the police. They can not send someone round to knock on a door & question anyone. Police do not seem interested in it, as it's too much work.
Action Fraud take the details, pass it on to local police who will look at it and say. No way we are going to get anywhere with that. So it gets closed.

 @Jewelscollectingdust

Hang in there. If you have done nothing wrong, then all will be well again. Just takes as long as it takes.
But advice such as have backup accounts is good. I take it that you have a full business account, and maybe paying charges on this. So I would look at moving personal banking elsewhere.

In your case there is little you could have done to prevent it. Just the same as nothing that could be done via the banking system. There is only so much anyone can do when the fraudsters go to such lengths as this. The fact is they have played a long game on this, means they are getting more confident that people have not caught on to them. Rather than a quick in/out, which we are used too.

I'm not suggesting they are the police, but plenty of companies do police their transactions (PayPal, all the banks via chargebacks etc.)

In fact the problem is that banks are now policing transactions by taking their customers at face value.

If they don't want to get involved with these disputes they need to stay out of them.

colsten

Jewelscollectingdust said:

Does anyone know if her bank would have been frozen her account as well ?? - or as the receiver of the funds that only happens to me ?? if hers is frozen then maybe that’s an incentive to do this sooner rather than later ????

I doubt her account has been frozen, unless her bank has detected any potential collusion with the original fraudster. Assuming there has been no such collusion, or none can be proven, she will probably get her money back, which would leave you out of pocket on both, the cash and the goods. Your only option would be to go after the original fraudster if you can locate them. It would be a matter for the Small Claims Court / Money Claim Online https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim

Jewelscollectingdust

Call to bank again today 

Told  case still with back office 

We’ve realised this morning that a payment was due out of out account yesterday for our combined building / contents insurance on the house. - It wasn’t taken because of frozen account
The  Policy is one that’s underwritten by the bank themselves so the DD for the buildings ‘ contents insurance was actually due to go to the bank itself. 
They will not even take payments for a DD - that belongs to them
I am told I have to go to the counter with cash and ask them to send it to the right place. 
I also have a car loan also taken out with the bank themselves due in around 2 weeks - I asked if I could do that at the same time with cash  - told No - it’s too far ahead !!

You really just couldn’t make this up 

robatwork

Hi OP,

Nothing to add other than it's refreshing to see a "scam" story on here where the OP does give full details and follows up their posting - the vast majority don't. Please keep us informed and good luck

born_again

Batesy1976 said:

I'm not suggesting they are the police, but plenty of companies do police their transactions (PayPal, all the banks via chargebacks etc.)

In fact the problem is that banks are now policing transactions by taking their customers at face value.

If they don't want to get involved with these disputes they need to stay out of them.

How can the banks stay out of them. But I can tell you they would love too. All that money not being refunded to people who have fallen for scams that are well published. Would make the shareholders very happy
But the FCA etc have decided that the banks have to take some responsibility and deal with the problem. So they can not stand back & say tough.

Chargebacks are not policing transactions. These are card regulations & in no way related to banking payments.

A bank will take a customers word in the 1st instance, just the same as the police would. Only when investigated will any problems be highlighted. Any customer trying to scam the system. Runs the risk of their accounts being closed down & a CIFAS fraud marker.