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Original poster

My bank accounts were hacked, I feel dreadful

49 replies

Owlyhedgehog · 02/08/2023 20:07

Just wanted a place to chat because I feel absolutely dreadful, Im a single mum and on my own.
Monday had a phonecall from 'Barclays' saying someone had set up a direct debit and was it me, I said no. He took me through a process to see who was authorized on my bank account, then got me to click generate a code and type it in. Then said it was sorted and I needed to delete the app and wait for my new log in details. Even the text messages he sent me came from the same number barclays text me from.
Today my card was declined, I went to the bank where I spent 2 hours sorting this all out with a lovely lady.
This person had changed all my log in details to their address and phone numbers and had moved my savings into my current account and had ordered a new debit card. I only had £2500 in my whole accounts ffs.
I know I was stupid to not hangup and ring the bank, I know, I know, I know. I feel dreadful.
Feel like someone is secretly watching me. The bank have cancelled everything now.
Just need a hand hold
x

OP posts:
evianisyoung · 02/08/2023 20:09

Sorry to hear this OP, the same happened to my MIL a couple of months ago and her bank refunded her, the scammers are horrible little pigs so frustrating how they can get away with mimicking the banks numbers! The bank should refund you, hope you manage to get it sorted x

madeofcheeze · 02/08/2023 20:10

Oh that's shit, I'm so sorry. Will you get the money back?

LittleMrsPretty · 02/08/2023 20:12

Im so sorry but don’t feel bad they can be really convincing.

DH had this on Monday, it was only when hanging up he though ooo this is the right so called the actual bank and they said it wasn’t them.

Will they get your money back?

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Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2023 20:13

That’s awful.
I really hope you get your money back but if the bank feels you have been negligent you may not, sorry.
Please don’t be too hard on yourself though, these scumbags are very good at what they do and it’s always obvious with hindsight

Original poster
Owlyhedgehog · 02/08/2023 20:13

Thanks. Yes I should do. How can someone be so unkind to want to spend all of someone elses money?!

OP posts:
LittleMrsPretty · 02/08/2023 20:13

*isnt

StartSWagaintomorrow · 02/08/2023 20:14

I always just say I never discuss my bank with anyone who phones me I will ring my bank on my landline or from another phone with the number on my debit card. Goodbye. They are relentless though!

Original poster
Owlyhedgehog · 02/08/2023 20:14

Sorry, just to add luckily they didnt take any money but moved my savings into my current account. Guess they were waiting until the new card arrived to them so they could start spending

OP posts:
Whyishewearingasombero · 02/08/2023 20:15

If it's any consolation, my friend, who spent 25 years working in banking very nearly got caught out by the same trick a few months ago. Please don't feel bad.

Bookish88 · 02/08/2023 20:15

Owlyhedgehog · 02/08/2023 20:13

Thanks. Yes I should do. How can someone be so unkind to want to spend all of someone elses money?!

Quite simply OP, because some people are not kind. They don't know you, or feel like they own you any sense of decency. They do what they do because taking advantage of people is lucrative business.

Original poster
Owlyhedgehog · 02/08/2023 20:16

Just so cruel
Thank you everyone. x

OP posts:
Notveryanything · 02/08/2023 20:18

Oh sorry to read this @Owlyhedgehog

It's a horrible thing to happen.

I got sucked in by a scammer but I was lucky that I suddenly got suspicious and ended the call. But we had got a long way down the process. It really upset me and I was surprised to have been taken in by it.

I hope it's all sorted easily.

JoanThursday · 02/08/2023 20:25

I feel for you.

A few months ago, I had some small and very random amounts go out of my account. Think 73p or £3.62 - just odd, especially as one was for Uber in NYC.

I reported it to the bank (Monzo), it was sorted and I didn't think more of it. Then a few weeks later I had a call from Monzo one evening urgently telling me that it had happened again and I must go through various steps to ensure my account was secure.

I was doubtful at first, but he was very convincing and I almost fell for it. Then I heard a baby cry in the background. I asked him if he was really from Monzo. He paused, said "fuck you" and put the phone down!

I reported it to Monzo and they said they would never call me if there was a security issue. All messages would be through their app.

Scary, isn't it?

Miranaboll · 02/08/2023 20:33

Try not to personalise. They’re just criminals. You’re random from a fishing net cast out. Could be anyone. I’ve nearly fallen for it a few times.

I think the bank rarely calls anyone do always offer to call back on the usual number or go in branch.

Achdinnae · 02/08/2023 20:34

How did they get your telephone number and how did they know what bank you use? Has anyone ever had a call claiming to be from a bank they didn't have an. account with?

Miranaboll · 02/08/2023 20:34

to give you a chuckle op, one I kept on the phone for 20 minutes telling him my ‘dad’ was in the bath, just wait a sec 🤣

Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2023 20:37

Achdinnae · 02/08/2023 20:34

How did they get your telephone number and how did they know what bank you use? Has anyone ever had a call claiming to be from a bank they didn't have an. account with?

Not a call but TSB and Santander are very anxious that I respond to their emails but verifying my personal details to prevent fraud on my non existent accounts

Caterina99 · 02/08/2023 20:39

Achdinnae · 02/08/2023 20:34

How did they get your telephone number and how did they know what bank you use? Has anyone ever had a call claiming to be from a bank they didn't have an. account with?

Yes we get them occasionally on our office landline - this is xyz bank (sometimes our bank, sometimes not) there has been a suspicious transaction of x on your account. I think those ones are just hopeful fishing and don’t actually have any information about you, whereas some of them are much more involved

I can totally see how someone would fall for it. It’s scary

SadOrWickedFairy · 02/08/2023 20:41

It's awful @Owlyhedgehog there is, or should be, a special circle in hell for these bastards, I detest them especially when they target the elderly and/or vulnerable.

WeAreTheHeroes · 02/08/2023 20:42

Achdinnae · 02/08/2023 20:34

How did they get your telephone number and how did they know what bank you use? Has anyone ever had a call claiming to be from a bank they didn't have an. account with?

They don't. It's a numbers game. Fraudsters use programs that randomly dial lots of phone numbers. Of these some are answered. They'll just state they're from X bank or phone company or Microsoft. Some people will actually be with the company they mention and will be taken in.
Some people won't be with the company and will still be taken in. Lots of people will think it's a scam and won't engage. Obviously if they know your name they've got an 'in' and probably have data stolen from somewhere legit.

User165753 · 02/08/2023 20:45

Thank goodness they didn't get your money OP, it would have been just random, if they say a major bank, there is a fair chance they may be right.

WannabeKittens · 02/08/2023 20:45

These people have no morals OP.

Don’t take it personally though they have likely called hundreds of people and if they can get 1 in 100 to bite then they’ve made money.

I work in the banking industry and the amount of people who come through to us who say that we’ve called them to say there’s been suspicious activity on their account but they weren’t around at the time or they weren’t sure whether to take the call is tremendous.

The reality is that there’s a scam for every circumstance, from the banking ones to the Microsoft one and even the delivery one which people could easily be taken in by if they’re expecting a parcel.

Carpediemmakeitcount · 02/08/2023 21:06

Has the bank contacted the police?

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 02/08/2023 21:07

I'm sorry this happened.

This isn't hacking, this is scamming. You are so lucky you used your account soon and were able to spend time talking to someone at the bank.

Original poster
Owlyhedgehog · 02/08/2023 21:09

The bank has contacted the police now.
I dont know how they got my nu,ber but bank said they can literally call you from the same number as the bank (but this one was 1 digit different)
I didnt give any of my bank details to them, I cant remember now if i gave my date of birth.
Stupid! I feel so scared but not sure why! x

OP posts: