Natwest bank card copied.

Debtbegone87

Hi, not sure if I'm posting in the right section of the forum, just hoping someone can advise me a little better than what my bank did.

Thursday I started receiving notifications from my banking app, telling me that large transactions needed approving, I immediately called my bank who assured me that they had blocked my cards and bank access until they investigated the matter, to ignore any more notifications because they had it covered. But was sure my card had been cloned. 

Seems they never covered anything because by Friday I had more amounts going out my bank. 

Over the weekend I made a further 5 calls to their fraud department & each time I was met with questions, such as, was I sure I never made these payments.

Today I was told that each time I called in, not once was my bank card stopped or cancelled. They have argeed that they should have done this sooner but that's as far as it goes. Whilst being told this, I was also made aware that over 30 different companies had my card details and various amounts of visa checks have been done.

They couldn't tell me anymore because of data protection but were happy for my data to be used until someone cancelled my card. The customer adviser just said I should pay for credit checks now incase they've manage to get other means of credit out. This has really worried me now. Is this something I should be worried about? Do I need to notify 101 also? 

I blame myself for not being educated in this area. Sorry if they seem obvious , in a bit of a panic now. 

Many thanks for taking the time to read. 

km1500

If you think your card has been cloned ( or indeed lost or stolen) are you able to toggle a 'freeze card' switch in the app - not sure if NatWest has this facility.

Forwandert

km1500 said:

If you think your card has been cloned ( or indeed lost or stolen) are you able to toggle a 'freeze card' switch in the app - not sure if NatWest has this facility.

Yes they do. 

eskbanker

Debtbegone87 said:

The customer adviser just said I should pay for credit checks now incase they've manage to get other means of credit out. 

Sensible precaution to check credit files in case anyone has used your details to set up credit in your name, but that would generally be associated with wider identity theft rather than simply accessing a card number.  No need to pay though, these files can be accessed free, see https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/

Debtbegone87 said:

This has really worried me now. Is this something I should be worried about?

If you're worried, you could pay for the protective registration service from CIFAS, which would put obstacles in the way of anyone (including you) trying to obtain credit in your name: https://www.cifas.org.uk/pr

Debtbegone87 said:

Do I need to notify 101 also?

No, unless you have something more significant than a list of unauthorised transactions.


In terms of your wider concern about lack of action by NatWest, bear in mind that they're responsible for refunding all unauthorised transactions, as long as you haven't been complicit or negligent, so their tardiness simply costs them money, albeit it adds to the stress for you in the short term.

km1500

Have you been negligent by not freezing your card once you knew?

cmthephoenix

km1500 said:

Have you been negligent by not freezing your card once you knew?

I think if they phoned their bank when the fraud was going on and the bank didn't freeze their card at that point they were informed then the bank would be more negligent. I would imagine if you feel you've been compromised then you're going to start mistrusting all technology to do with that card. (I can't say because I haven't been in that situation but I know when I was burgled I got paranoid about leaving the house and if I could advise my younger self I would say just sell the house - it's only a material thing and is nothing compared to peace of mind). Of course that's assuming they were phoning the right number for the bank and not another scamster.

km1500

Agree totally - but then I am.not NatWest !

Debtbegone87

Thank you for your replies.

born_again

cmthephoenix said:

km1500 said:

Have you been negligent by not freezing your card once you knew?

I think if they phoned their bank when the fraud was going on and the bank didn't freeze their card at that point they were informed then the bank would be more negligent. I would imagine if you feel you've been compromised then you're going to start mistrusting all technology to do with that card. (I can't say because I haven't been in that situation but I know when I was burgled I got paranoid about leaving the house and if I could advise my younger self I would say just sell the house - it's only a material thing and is nothing compared to peace of mind). Of course that's assuming they were phoning the right number for the bank and not another scamster.

Spot on.

But one thing. It the transactions had already been approved by the bank, before the OP spoke to them. They can not be stopped. They still have to go through.

OP. Every time you use your card they have your card details.

Jumblebumble

km1500 said:

Have you been negligent by not freezing your card once you knew?

100% NO

because
, "I immediately called my bank who assured me that they had blocked my cards and bank access until they investigated the matter, to ignore any more notifications because they had it covered."

km1500

Perfect. OP - make sure you don't lose the proof of that.