NatWest text message? scam?

setmefree

crystalmooniris wrote: »

Exactly no explanation at all just quote the reference pay the money its not exactly proper bank practice is it? also contact by text message seems so unprofessional especially with regards to debt.

Anyway it is genuine i phoned the number the natwest gave me for collections and it turns out it is a genuine collections case and the reference number is in regards of an about to be defaulted account just not mine lol.

Oh dear oh dear, not only telephone harassment with the frequency of calls,also breaking OFT guidelines on collection of debt (not making it clear what it is about) and even worse it has nothing to do with the OP..:rotfl:
OP i would get in touch with their complaints dept, and ask for a copy of their complaints procedure, and take it all the way.;)

nobblyned

So not a scam then? Just a mistake (maybe the debtor had that number before you?).

And if you'd have called the collections centre as suggested by Natweststaffmember (rather than insisting he was wrong) you could have sorted it out days ago?

setmefree

nobblyned wrote: »

So not a scam then? Just a mistake (maybe the debtor had that number before you?).

And if you'd have called the collections centre as suggested by Natweststaffmember (rather than telling him he was wrong) you could have sorted it out days ago?

Same mobile number????
And if the OP had followed the advice given on a text as you say (genuine NatWest text) he/she would have made an online payment for a debt that had nothing whatsoever to do with him/her..
Now regardless of it being genuine or scam OFT guidelines have been broken.
END OF

nobblyned

setmefree wrote: »

Same mobile number????

Err, yes, mobile numbers get recycled. When you get a new phone and number, chances are that number will have been used before and will likely be on file with a number of people.

Last new phone I had, I got numerous calls from a debt collection agency for the previous number holder (and they weren't one of the polite ones like Natwest), plus a few texts from some girl asking him to pay towards the upkeep of his kid....

setmefree

nobblyned wrote: »

Err, yes, mobile numbers get recycled. When you get a new phone and number, chances are that number will have been used before and will likely be on file with a number of people.

Wow that's spooky, not only did the original debtor have that number previously, they also use the same bank...now what's the odds on that:D

nobblyned

setmefree wrote: »

Wow that's spooky, not only did the original debtor have that number previously, they also use the same bank...now what's the odds on that:D

Yeah, NatWest are tiny! :rotfl:

What does it matter how they came to have the number anyway? It was just a mistake, and ringing the bank as suggested on here would have sorted it.

Anyway, I'll leave you to your crusade aganst the supposed breaking of the OFT guidelines which seems to have captured your attention.

setmefree

nobblyned wrote: »

Yeah, NatWest are tiny! :rotfl:

What does it matter how they came to have the number anyway? It was just a mistake, and ringing the bank as suggested on here would have sorted it.

Anyway, I'll leave you to your crusade aganst the supposed breaking of the OFT guidelines which seems to have captured your attention.

No don't leave , do you believe that NatWest have not broken any guidelines

nobblyned

setmefree wrote: »

No don't leave , do you believe that NatWest have not broken any guidelines

Ok, since you ask so nicely! I'd think it was probably marginal, the text seemed to be clear they were natwest, and the intended recipient would likely have been aware of an outstanding repayment arrangement with them.

I think the intention of the guidelines is to prevent the more unscrupulous companies sending out 'ring this number to claim an undelivered parcel/unclaimed inheritance' type communications in order to get people to identify themselves as an untraced debtor.

Could be entirely wrong though, just my reading of it!

setmefree

nobblyned wrote: »

Ok, since you ask so nicely! I'd think it was probably marginal, the text seemed to be clear they were natwest, and the intended recipient would likely have been aware of an outstanding repayment arrangement with them.

2.1 It is unfair to communicate, in whatever form, with consumers in an unclear,
inaccurate or misleading manner.

I would say that the text is unclear, so they used the wording NatWest and a reference number, if you were being contacted by NatWest for the first time via text, you would be none the wiser.
Also still remains the fact that in a text they are asking for a payment to be made online, is this justifiable, when it is not certain that the person who received the text is the person in question.

Draftpiper

They're back!

This is a scam that recurrs every few months. They usually claim to be the Birmingham Collections Centre and ask you for details of your Natwest or RBS account, although this approach may vary. There is no Company of this name listed in the Birmingham Telephone directory. Natwest have no record of their telephone number (08453039014) and advise you to ignore the call. I have been on forums and seen recent postings listing this scam. It seems they are launching a new attack, just in time for Christmas. Nice people!!

Regards to all