Low level fraud on debit cards - anyone else get this a lot?

[Lockheart]

Have I just had a small run of bad luck? In Feb I noticed a transaction for £27 for Adidas in Stockport (never been to Stockport in my life) on my debit card. I hadn't lost the card and was still in possession of it, they must have got my details from somewhere. Immediately froze my card in the app, called bank who were very helpful, got me a new card, refunded me the money.

Then on Thurs this week someone spent £33 in Dominoes in Milton Keynes on my card. Again hadn't lost the card, still have it now. Again called bank, getting new card next week, refunded etc.

But I've had this bank account for over ten years and suddenly in the space of less than 6 months there have been two fraudulent transactions. Yes they're small but I'm worried about the security of my bank account now since this has never happened to me before.

Since this has happened in Feb I've been careful about where I use my card - only purchasing online from big names, only getting cash out at ATMs inside banks.

Does this happen to anyone else much? Have I just been unlucky or do you think my account might be compromised?

That is odd. Do regularly fill up the car at the same petrol station? There was one near us where someone was cloning cards and loads of people were hit. Other common place is restaurants. Anywhere in particular you can think of which might link the two events?

I have switched to a prepaid card (monzo) for most of my transactions. Feel it is slightly safer as it is not linked to main bank account in the same way as a debit card.

I don't currently have a car @thekaratekid but I have been trying to think of where it could be that's causing this. I don't think I shop anywhere particularly dodgy but then these days I suppose it doesn't have to be dodgy! Most of my debit card use is TfL or Tesco / Waitrose.

I also have a Monzo card thankfully which I move money into every week so I'm set for the next few days, plus I have a credit card to fall back on if necessary.

I'm a bit worried if it happens again my bank are going to think I'm chancing my arm and won't help!

You know if you order and pay for Dominos online, it always says the transaction has taken place in Milton Keynes, no matter what part of the country you are in! Could it possibly have been you that ordered?

Sometimes it can be quite hard to match up the amount /vendor to what you bought!

My card was cloned via a cash point inside a large branch of my bank. Refunded and sorted out, my bank fraud department noticed it overnight and called me to tell me.

It can happen anywhere, even apparently safer places.

This monzo thing sounds useful

Are you using the card to tap in and out on the tube? Just read an article where people can skim your card details if you are standing near them. So if you are tapping in and out, keeping the card in trouser pocket etc, then there is a risk.

Bit of a worry. Hope you figure it out! We had something similar ages ago where DP's bank account got hacked and someone tried to set up a payment. We tightened up our online security after that, but were paranoid for ages.

Do you shop online? Just wondering if your internet has been compromised.

I recently had similar, only it was 2 transactions totalling £150 one week, and literally the same again the next week! Its infuriating

@imalrightjack I think I'd have noticed if I'd ordered £33 worth of pizza! I certainly never got the damn pizza. If I do buy pizza I don't get it from Dominoes, I get it from Firezza. I am totally certain I did not buy £33 worth of Dominoes at half 11 on a Thursday morning.

@thekaratekid possibly, but I've been tapping in and out of the tube for years and only recently has this been an issue. My card stays in my bag and only comes out for tapping in/out.

@MaverickSnoopy I do, but I live with other people who also shop online and as far as I'm aware they have not had the same issue.

@Lovethetimeyouhave that's awful, it must have been so stressful! I'm pretty thankful that this is only low level but its very frustrating.

Dh has had this 3 times in 6 months. 2x flights bought for £300, hair extensions for £250, a hotel for £100ish. He changed bank 6 months ago so is wondering if it’s the new bank that’s less secure?

I've had it a few times. Once in a petrol station. They did so many people that locals refused to go there and it closed down! Even though they put a big banner up saying they had sacked the staff that were doing it!

Also had my card skimmed in an Indian restaurant. Bank rang me to ask if I'd spent £200 in s sari shop in Leeds! I'd never been to Leeds at that point.

Have you given your card details over the phone for anything?

DP had his card cloned and he's almost certain it was after he ordered something over the phone from a small shop that he thought he knew well.

He then got a call from the bank asking if he'd bought a large electricl item, which he hadn't. When we looked into it, it turned out that the fraudster had tested the card by buying a bus ticket in the same town as the shop and then attempted to buy a large TV or similar.

It's a long time back and I didn't understand the details, and this may be old hat, but when chip and pin started out, family members card appears to have been cloned as a result of paying in a restaurant.

They where phoned within ten minutes asking if they'd just ordered a load of stationary on the internet, and the purchase was stopped.

Everyone assumed someone at restaurant had cloned the card and police investigated thoroughly as there'd been a spate of similar in the area.
There was good cctv and police cleared them, but said they believed some form of radio wave hijacking was involved.

@BarbaraofSeville nope, couldn't even recall the last time I've paid for anything over the phone!

I wonder if it's one of the little independent shops I go to sometimes (butcher's / grocers). It might be more likely to happen there than at Tesco or Waitrose I'd guess.

I guess I'll take cash out at the bank and keep some handy for smaller shops in future.