Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to be worried about strange bank transactions (pics included)

41 replies

intotheabis · 06/02/2017 18:12

I have 2 transactions going out of my bank, only for £1 and 35p but I've not idea what they are and am abit concerned

I have recently lost my card and immediately cancelled it and ordered a new on so wondered if it might be a fee for that, or something I've ordered from abroad maybe although I'm sure I haven't!

Has anyone seen it before or know what it is or should I panic and ring the bank tomorrow? thanks

Aibu to be worried about strange bank transactions (pics included)
Aibu to be worried about strange bank transactions (pics included)
OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 06/02/2017 18:13

Definitely query it. It's a common tactic, to see if a small transaction goes through before putting a larger one on. I'd be concerned that they were international fees too.

ToastieRoastie · 06/02/2017 18:14

I would call your bank. I had my debit card stolen years ago. The person who stole it did some transactions for very small amounts, before going in for a massive spend. The bank said that this often happens - they test out if a small transaction will work before going for the big one.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 06/02/2017 18:15

They could be test transactions for payments you have made, more likely they're tests on your card.

If you have cancelled and replaced your card it will be fine.

jay55 · 06/02/2017 18:16

Are there any overseas transactions to go with the fees? Best check with the bank.

DoloresTheRunawayTrain · 06/02/2017 18:16

Get straight on to the bank and have them marked as fraudulent transactions. Had this on mine. Didn't notice it, but they were test payments put through a couple of months before a huge amount was swiped from my bank.

MissAdaSmith · 06/02/2017 18:19

agree...call bank now. it is a well known tactic to withdraw small amounts to see if it work in the hope the account holder won't notice the small amounts leaving the account.

ExcellentWorkThereMary · 06/02/2017 18:19

Do you shop online? Often places will take a small amount to check the debit card works or the account is active. Amazon do it, so do Tesco, and iTunes.

EauPea · 06/02/2017 18:19

Even if your card has been cancelled, some contactless payments will still go through as they are authorised on the retailer's system, not by your bank.

I would definitely contact the bank asap.

MargotFenring · 06/02/2017 18:20

I had this, around 25 test transactions of varying amounts between 10p and 2 quid. Then they went in and took everything
The banks fraud team were good but it still took a week for the bank to put the money back in.

lovethefrock · 06/02/2017 18:21

small transactions are often used by fraudsters to test whether the card works. Phone your bank immediately

SingingInTheRainstorm · 06/02/2017 18:21

I would definitely call the bank, it could be innocuous, but at the same time I think it's eBay that get you to verify your account, taking out 2 small amounts.

Better to be safe Smile

intotheabis · 06/02/2017 18:28

Oh yes I will definitely call then! I don't have a lot but I'd really rather someone didn't nick it! I assume the banks will be closed now, is there a way to report it like out of hours or should I just wait until morning? I'm panicking now that my balance is going to disappear imminently!! 😕

OP posts:
Cathelpplease · 06/02/2017 18:29

The person who stole mine bought donuts then tried for a TV!

Ginmakesitallok · 06/02/2017 18:29

There'll be a number on back of your card

ImperialBlether · 06/02/2017 18:30

You can call the bank until quite late - check on your internet banking site for opening hours, but get it done asap!

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 06/02/2017 18:30

phone the number on the back of your card....they should be able to direct you to the right department.

JagerPlease · 06/02/2017 18:39

One of my banks charges me twice - a purchase fee and a transaction fee - for any purchase not in £. Have you bought anything in another currency? There would usually be an accompanying transaction on the same date

intotheabis · 06/02/2017 18:41

Thanks

@jagerPlease I was getting charged for an audible account which I cancelled and have just been refunded in $ so maybe that's it? 🤔

I am stuck at work at the minute until 8 so will call as soon as I leave and hopefully they will still be open!

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 06/02/2017 18:44

Yes, they're test payments. Our bank immediately freezes the account when this happens.

MongerTruffle · 06/02/2017 18:44

Your bank's fraud number will probably be open until quite late (I know mine is open 24 hours).
Have you bought anything from an overseas seller on eBay? As it's an international transaction fee (probably from your bank) I would check if there were any larger transactions from abroad.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 06/02/2017 18:46

Helplines stay open fairly late to report fraud etc. Maybe try the contact us option online, where you get a virtual customer service operator? Thinking you can do that from work.

Jayfee · 06/02/2017 18:48

Banks always tell you to phone. Treat it as urgent just in case.

YouWillNotSeeMe · 06/02/2017 18:48

Definitely call bank. They are test transactions.
My bank phoned me to let me know 2 had gone through in America and was I there? Nope. They explained that 2 amounts for £1 and under are put through and if successfully completed you then get the huge amounts. They checked and I hadn't used my card on any dodgy website, apparently they just try random numbers together now.

When the bank texted me with the fraud concern I didn't call the number in the text, I used the banks website just in case. Was refunded the 80p or something and card cancelled and new one sent.

Graphista · 06/02/2017 18:49

Where do you work? Can you not tell boss you've lost bank card and need to call bank asap? Or even be honest and say it's about possible fraudulent transactions ?

The big banks tend to be open phone wise till 8pm, some later and fraud numbers are sometimes 24 hrs but the sooner the better. Are you not due a break?

Jayfee · 06/02/2017 18:50

my friend only got a part refund from her bank as she had not shown vigilance and many little amounts were taken before the big one.