Barclays bank fraud investigation is driving me mad

[EachandEveryone]

I know, I know its for my own good. I never reported anything but they told me there has been some fraud activity for future purchases. I didnt know this was a thing and Im pleased they found it.

however, this was three days ago and my account has been frozen since. The fella rings me constantly if he doesnt get me on the landline it will be the mobile. Despite me repeatedly telling him Ive just had eye surgery and on the same day told I have start chemotherapy again therfore can you now stop ringing me. He doesnt listen nor care that Im waiting for calls from the chemo suite or waiting to go in to the actual appointment. I have stuff to do.

when i look at my account theres large amounts of money taken by the bank even from my ISA.

he told me its taking so long as i keep checking my account so they have to start again.

je sends me countless texts asking me to authorise this and that payment like endless amounts. Its been three days now.

sorry, I needed to get it off my chest.

OP he is a scammer. Nothing he says is true.

He will do, it’s a script op. They can copy the official bank phone numbers so it shows on your phone as the same one. Please op, trust me on this, take action and phone your bank now. I work with people like you who’ve had all their money taken. Ignore what he says, he’s scamming you and you’re at risk until you phone your genuine bank.

My mother in law was scammed just like this.

Go directly into the branch.

No-one from Barclays would tell you "go to Canary Wharf if you don't believe me". They would tell you to call in at your local branch. They can make it look like they are genuinely coming from Barclays. I managed to stop my mum from heading the same way with a Royal Mail based scam last week - the messages she received convinced her that it was genuine and she was about to input her bank details.

Don't speak further to him - speak to Barclays. Here - again - is a link to Barclays own website detailing how the scammers can make it appear that they're calling you from Barclays: Phone number checker | Barclays. Open a separate call to Barclays, typing in the number from scratch, because at the moment it appears that you are ringing the scammer believing you are calling Barclays direct.

Your account has been compromised and you are letting it continue. Please take the advice of everyone on here. Dial Barclays direct and talk to them. If it is genuine they will reassure you. If not, it is likely that your account will be emptied and you may not get any of it back because you have authorised it.

I am sorry to sound harsh. But it's very, very obvious what is happening to everyone who has responded on here. @EachandEveryone PLEASE do not continue the texts. PLEASE do telephone Barclays direct - not by hitting "call" or "reply" against the text messages. A separate call. Or, as Barclays website suggests - "Call 159 – it’s a safe number set up by Stop Scams UK and will connect you to us securely"
Now.

From the wording on Barclays own website:

Never click on a link in an unexpected message, and remember – we'll never send you a link in an SMS message.

If you get a call from the he bank like this you always always always go online, find the direct number for the bank and call them back. Always.

Scam. Take action immediately ! Do nothing more. Barclays never take money from accounts during investigation. The scammers are super duper smart and ruthless. The fact they know are dealing with chemo means they will push as know you are vulnerable. It’s all lies.

call number on your bank card or go into branch at once. There are real teams to help, it will be happening to other people not just you. The key is to act quickly to minimise damage.

It's 100% a scam OP, you need to phone the number on the back of your bank card right now.

Don't authorise a single payment more. The bank would not be asking you to do that.

He said 'go to canary wharf' - because he knows you wouldn't who on earth would do that?! There's no way a bank would say that to you.

Please OP, I know it's the last thing you need but if you call now there is a chance you'll get some of the money back.

Omg this is dreadful. OP please listen to everyone on here and call the fraud number now.

Don’t feel ashamed for being tricked, they are experts at what they do. Take action and let real Barclays help.

Fraud teams do not work in canary wharf. You are being scammed op - please get in touch with Barclays fraud team immediately

Call the bank on a proper number - the one listed on their website - and tell them asap what's happening. This is a relatively common scam. You will likely get your money back but you need to get on to your (real) bank asap.

Actually, ring the number on the back of your card as online numbers/websites can also be fake.

im sorry this has happened to you.

Barclays are only investment banking in canary wharf not retail. This is a scam I think OP.
Please call Barclays from a different phone ideally a number that you have in the back of a bank card in your possession

Scam. I hope you haven't lost too much money.

Using a different phone is quite important - a call doesn't totally disconnect until both parties hang up and they may be staying connect3d to your phone after you hang up so that if you phone someone to verify things they then pretend to be that someone too.

I think this sounds like a scam too.

OP do you have the mobile app? You can initiate a secure call from there. This avoids you having to dial any numbers but alos guarantees that you're connecting directly to the bank.
As PP said you're being scammed and looks like you've lost s lot already so I'd waste no time in ringing them

There’s no way this isn’t a wind up

THIS IS A SCAM

Please, please go into a branch and speak to someone about this.

Really hope so man. Can't read anymore, it's setting off anxiety.
OP if you're for real, go to the ruddy bank.

Thanks all. Barclays are on the case theyve cancelled everything. They said two £2,000 payments are pending so they cant stop them but they will apply to recover them.

just when i get my pension lump sum for once in my life Im debt free this happens. Thank god i put most of the lump sum in different pots. Ive been too worried about cancer and my bloody surgery to think straight. I walked right into it.

i expect its 6 grand I’ll never see again. My treat money. I bloody pride myself in being streetwise I cant beleive it I feel so embarrassed.

thank you all.

If you aren't just having a laugh with us op, and this is actually happening, this is 100% a scam. They are currently draining your bank accounts, and could even be setting up additional accounts/ loans and credit cards to access "borrowed" money under your name, using your details. Contact your bank using the phone number on the back of your card, from a different phone to the ones the scammers have contacted you on. Explain everything, and put a stop to it ASAP. The bank would be freezing your account and telling you to cut up any cards incase they've been cloned if there was any concern over fraud. They would NOT be asking you to authorise any funds moving from or to your account! And certainly not telling you to go to Canary Wharf "if you don't believe them" fml.

I’ve been following this all morning, I’m glad you called your bank. Please don’t feel embarrassed, these scammers have a script to lull you into a false sense of security. As a reminder, your bank will never as you to move money or move money into safe accounts on your behalf. Always initiate a call on a different phone if possible to a number you know is genuine, from the website of the back of your card. You can call 159 about any caller, bank, hmrc or police and they can verify them for you. I’m sorry you’ve lost money op, but glad you posted when you did, it could’ve been worse. If you’re in any doubt, your bank will never mind if you hang up and call back to verify them x

That’s what they do OP - they try different people until someone has an off day and doesn’t think straight and believes it. It can happen to the best of us.

Well done for posting here! Hope you get it all back.

OP do make sure you give Barclays all the details. They may refund you if you have acted reasonably throughout. Make sure you have logs of all the calls etc and write it all down whilst fresh in your mind.
Your treatment also may be a mitigating factor. So do push for full refund