Halifax default after account misuse – debt now with Wescot – next steps

fatbelly

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81894807#Comment_81894807

You'll see from my link that Report Fraud. Police is the new name for Action Fraud. Try to report it by another route and you'll just be redirected to that. For individual instances of fraud it may seem useless but the police are looking for patterns involving hundreds or more cases. From the op's point of view they will get a reference number which will helpwith their complaint

born_again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895233#Comment_81895233

A good police force (not met who deflect everything there) would take the report & might just take it forward. If the friend is a local person.

Altior

The OP is claiming to have been threatened. Which is a police matter, not financial fraud.

sourcrates

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895807#Comment_81895807

You will find one closely follows the other in such matters, its a distinction without a difference really, no one asks you to commit a fraud under threat of being nice to them, now do they.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81896035#Comment_81896035

In late 2024 / early 2025 I was introduced to some individuals by a mutual friend. I was told they could help me make money through crypto-related transactions. I now understand this was a scam / account misuse situation.

The op was a willing participant. Then it went wrong. In my view it's akin to being a drugs mule. You don't get many mules that don't get caught complaining, only the ones that did!

So wilfully offering up use of your bank account for easy money isn't being threatened. Sorry to repeat but the OP hasn't provided any actual detail that suggests they weren't in the wrong. 'threatened' is a very ambiguous word in this context. It could be anything from being threatened that the profit from the activities would be withheld, to physical violence.

Most likely the op won't be returning to the thread to furnish us with some specific detail.

JeromeX_Xi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895233#Comment_81895233

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81894506#Comment_81894506

Yes I reported the matter on ActinFraud before it became ReportFraud a long time ago. Thank you for advice. They also advised me not to go the police, as this information would be passed on to them. Thanks for advice for now

JeromeX_Xi

Although not explicitly stated I have gotten a CIFAS Marke (but I do want to keep that situation separate from this post), the good news here is that Halifax have only closed my account, but via formal complaint, I’ve been told I would be able to re-apply but obviously recommend the removal of the marker.

JeromeX_Xi

Thank you for your input and understanding! I’m aware that they are other banks that just Halifax, but Halifax have said through Formal complaint I would be able to re-apply again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81894981#Comment_81894981

JeromeX_Xi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81895233#Comment_81895233

Thanks for the advice! But who what police force would you recommend I take it to?

JeromeX_Xi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81897723#Comment_81897723

I understand the comparison being made, and I accept that I made a serious mistake in allowing access to my account. I’m not trying to present myself as blameless.

When I referred to being “threatened”, I meant being told individuals would come to my home and cause trouble if I didn’t cooperate or repay money they claimed I owed. I appreciate that this doesn’t remove my responsibility for initially giving access, but it did affect my judgement at the time.

There are some specific details I’m not comfortable posting publicly on a forum, but I do have evidence of communications and I have reported the matter to Action Fraud, now known as ReportFraud. I’m prepared to provide full detail formally where required.

I’m not disputing that I exercised poor judgement. My question is narrower than that — from a procedural standpoint, is the default likely to be considered valid given the circumstances, and does paying the £410 now affect my ability to challenge it later?

If the consensus is that the default will stand regardless, then I will settle the balance. I’m just trying to understand the correct approach before doing so.