Scam advice please

strawb_shortcake

I earlier received a text message from my bank, it came in the existing thread of previous texts. 
It said they'd send a text from 60292 where they'd require my response.

Text came I replied N as it wasn't recognised though I had just made a payment online. They then responded and said I'd receive a phone call. 

Phone call came, it was automated and sounded suspicious as it wasn't a clear message and they said press any button to proceed. I hung up and searched for the fraud phone number on their website.

I called and spoke to someone in the fraud team, they had a strong accent but my Husband believes they said the text was genuine but the call wasn't. They advised no money was taken and there was no further action for me to take. 

This has however left me feeling quite anxious and I regret that I didn't use a different call to phone them back. I did give my account number and DOB. 

I have confirmed on online banking that no money has been taken but I have a horrible feeling I've made a mistake.

Please advise

tacpot12

I would recommend calling 159 now. Talk to your bank again and see if they can reassure you that you did speak to them previously. They will have a record if you called them on the right number and spoke to a member of staff. 

strawb_shortcake

tacpot12 said:

I would recommend calling 159 now. Talk to your bank again and see if they can reassure you that you did speak to them previously. They will have a record if you called them on the right number and spoke to a member of staff. 

I did call the bank back (from a different phone) I do feel reassured now. I will still check my account later 
I always thought I'd recognise a scam, and I guess I did but I was not prepared for the panic and anxiety that came with it, and the mad rush to act quickly which may be where lots of mistakes are made.

Debbie9009

A lot of scams are so clever now it’s easy to get caught out, but you didn’t, you thought something was wrong and acted on that, and then came on here for advice, and followed that good advice, you have done all the right things.

DullGreyGuy

strawb_shortcake said:

I earlier received a text message from my bank, it came in the existing thread of previous texts. 
It said they'd send a text from 60292 where they'd require my response.

Phone systems are fairly rudimentary. For a basic landline the hardware outside of your control declares to the downstream systems what are your telephone number. For many decades companies have had more control, their kit allows them to determine what number is identified. This is necessary when your a global company with 15,000+ locations but want to ensure that your customer sees the same number irrespective of if its your London, Sidney or NYC contact centre thats calling and similarly the outsourcer can call their different client's customers and yet the same agent's phone appears as different numbers depending on if they are calling on behalf of Aviva or Barclays. 

Back then the kit was physical, expensive and required expensive connections. Now the world is digital and anyone can signup for a business service. My VOIP provider sells telephone numbers from 8 different countries, you can similarly have them add any other number in the world if you can provide proof you own it. I could call you from my mobile in Thailand but your phone would say I'm calling from my landline in Bristol. 

Your phone is equally simple, all calls with the callerID of X will be grouped together. It has no way of knowing if they are all actually the same caller/sender or not. It's not hard to find what numbers/IDs banks use. My VOIP provider requires proof you own the number, there are thousands of others that you can simply decide what number to display. 

A colleague, with 25 years experience of working in Financial Services equally fell for a scam call from "his bank" and sent them £20k to a "safe account". Really a case of the wrong call at the wrong time but for him the fact the call came in on 0345 720 3040 meant his phone showed it as Halifax Bank as he had it saved in his contacts and he dropped his guard as a consequence. Thankfully, he got the money back

jimjames

strawb_shortcake said:

This has however left me feeling quite anxious and I regret that I didn't use a different call to phone them back. I did give my account number and DOB. 

If you called from a mobile then it doesn't have the same issue as line remaining active after an incoming call as can happen with a landline. You say you received a text and then call which would suggest mobile so if it was then you don't need to worry