AIBU to smell a rat? (Bank related)

[CyclopsBee]

Ok, so had a missed call on my mobile earlier, I didn't answer as it was an 0871 number,
I then get a voicemail asking me to phone a different number, saying it's my credit card company,
Then I get a txt message asking if I'd spent £2.93 this morning on my card,
I haven't used my card as I have no credit on it at all.
I then try and look at my account online and my account is blocked so i phone customer services who agree £2.93 was spent this morning but they can't tell me how as I have no available credit. The man tries to put me through to the fraud dept but comes back and says they are busy and I need to phone back on Monday,
WTF is going on?

[listsandbudgets]

I don't know but I'd be insisting on hanging on for the fraud department.

Have they cancelled the card? It could have been a test transaction which is about to be followed up with something a lot bigger.

[CyclopsBee]

Mmm but how can anyone use a card that has no credit available on it? I'm actually a few pound over my credit limit which they know I am paying next week

[Bluecarrot]

Did you call the number from the missed call or from the bank website?

[divingoffthebalcony]

You did the right thing by logging into your bank account rather than ringing any numbers. But the fact your account's been blocked suggests there has been some fraudulent activity and your bank are taking the right steps. It doesn't sound like a scam.

I would be calling them back to cancel your card(s) rather than waiting until Monday, though.

[RattieBagTheOldHag]

It sounds ok but I would keep phoning until I got through to the fraud department just for peace of mind.

[iwantaginsoakedXmas]

I would call the bank again to sort it out.

DH had a couple of odd calls the other day from the bank. We missed the phone both times, so there was a message on the answer machine - a recorded message saying that they suspect fraudulent use of debit card and could he phone back.

After the second call - he phoned the bank using the number he knows and it was indeed his bank, and a genuine concern. He had tried to pay for a hotel and the transaction failed twice, before being accepted. So this had flagged up as a possible fraud.

Better to be safe than sorry.

[PausingFlatly]

Look at the bank's website for a direct number for a fraud department. Failing that, call the Lost or Stolen Card number.

This isn't something you want to hang about till Monday for.

[iwantaginsoakedXmas]

As Pausing says!

[CyclopsBee]

I have just phoned them back, there is nobody in the fraud department unitil Monday and the customer services couldn't see the £2.93 on my transactions but they have blocked my card anyway so I'm none the wiser!
It's worrying isn't it? How can someone have access to my card when I hardly use it and it's over the limit??

[PausingFlatly]

Glad the card is now definitely blocked, and presumably the account frozen. Helluva nuisance for you, but better than the alternative.

Good luck on Monday.

[IHeartChristmasMoomies]

With it being a small amount, retailers don't ask the bank for authorisation that the account has available funds, just that the card number is legitimate and not stopped or cancelled. This is why you could go over your OD limit or your credit limit. They are normally called guaranteed transactions.

[lljkk]

don't you all think it's some kind of automatic payment that has gone on the card, like paypal fees or a regular DD? If I were a fraudster I'd manage to aim a lot higher than to cheat someone out of 2.93.

[CyclopsBee]

The first person I spoke to this morning said it was paid to 'twrsofus inn'
But the second phone call, she couldn't tell me who the payment was for.

[PausingFlatly]

As listsandbudgets says, fraudsters typically do a small test transaction to check the stolen details actually work, before using the card for a larger transaction.

[Redglitter]

There was a case in the news recently where someone made an eye watering amount of money be defrauding bank customers of £2. The theory was people won't notice £2 or if they did they wouldn't enquire about it because of the amount. They were right and got literally hundreds of thousands before being caught

[lljkk]

so what is this website?

[CyclopsBee]

Weird lljkk
I've no idea what that is, I'm abit worried tbh

[RandallFloyd]

No need to be worried.
Your bank have done their job.

This is one of the things you pay them for.
Let them worry about it.

[pinkoneblueone]

If u ever get a call and u find it odd then locate a number for them yourself don't give them ANY details use another phone to call the bank from the one they dialed u on

[Rooberoobe]

Cyclops I wouldn't worry as Randall says it's their job.

I used to deal with this (not committing the fraud!) and it was common to test small transactions first.

There are many ways they can get card details but to be honest no point worrying as most the time you will never find out anyway.

The fact your online banking has been blocked and the call means they probably already know it's fraud and just need you to confirm it.

Although I strongly suggest you check your credit file to ensure no new products have been applied for.

[WowserBowser]

Agree with Roob

You're not liable for fraud so try not to worry.

[CyclopsBee]

Thanks rooberoobe that's reassuring,
You hear it happening to other people but I guess I'm just a bit shocked, bloody gits

[Rooberoobe]

Oh you'd be surprised what they do! I could tell you some stories but I can't!

I suspect that the reason the second advisor couldn't see the transaction was because it's been recalled.

I would also suggest to log out, change passwords etc and un save any card details you may have stored. The details probably weren't taken from your computer but better to be safe than sorry.

[CyclopsBee]

Thanks you have all been very helpful. I guess I should be pleased the bank acted so quickly. Apparently the transaction was made at 10 this morning and they contacted me by 11.30.
Think I need to change some passwords