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Original poster

Returned Debit Card-Accused of Theft

108 replies

WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn · 23/09/2023 19:30

I just wrote chapter and verse on this and it was about 5 pages longer! So going to try and keep it shorter and to the point

On my way out near my house I found a debit card. After checking on SM to see if anyone was looking for a lost card I rang the bank. They cancelled it and said they'd let the card holder know and to destroy the card.

I carried on and when I got to the high street saw two women looking frantically for something. One called the other by the (unusual) name on the card. I went over and explained where I'd found it and returned it to them but also said the bank had stopped the card. They said thanks and I went on my merry way

Hours later I was leaving my house with the dog for a walk and saw them in the area I'd said I found the card. They noticed me leaving the house and I waved and went over. Cue masses of abuse and being called a theiving cunt.

Apparently in the hours between her losing it and me finding it someone had withdrawn cash and spent lots online. It seems someone had watched her at a cash point, pinched the card then chucked it.

Her detective skills had decided I was the likely thief. I explained that it wasn't me and why would I approach them and return the card if so. No real answer to that.

I left them to it but about ten minutes ago the husband of card holder lady knocked on the door and demanded £700 from us to compensate for all the spending. Now, I've no idea why on earth the bank wouldn't sort this for her but needless to say he got told where to go. He then said he'd be back with the police or 'his mates' to make sure he got the money!

Talk about no good deed! So what do I do? Should I call the police first (on non emergency number) as I definitely feel there was a threat! I've never had something so strange happen to me!

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 23/09/2023 20:53

If her purse was stolen, then how did she still have ID on her? Sounds like a scam.

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 23/09/2023 20:54

Definitely go to the police. Even if it's not a scam and they genuinely believe you stole the money they are still way out of order.

PurpleButterflyWings · 23/09/2023 20:55

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GonnaGetGoingReturns · 23/09/2023 20:55

Sounds like it was a scam. Over covid I left my purse on top of my car by mistake whilst I went for a park walk with a friend. Got home and found purse gone and I had a phone call from a nice couple who’d found it and the bank had cancelled my cards.

I returned to pick up the purse but wasn’t annoyed that cards had been cancelled, I was lucky it had been found and the bank had blocked/cancelled all cards.

BettyBallerina · 23/09/2023 20:56

Them frantically looking for the card and one calling out the others unusual name when you approached sounds like an act. Possibly someone saw you pick up the card and alerted them that you were on your way into the town. I think they’re scammers too and they threatened you, so I’d contact he police. Honestly, you try to do a good deed… Sorry this happened to you.

Reallybadidea · 23/09/2023 20:59

If it's a scam, then why the need for the charade in allowing her to 'return' it to the owner? Why not just go to her home, say they saw her pick the card up and demand the money? And how many people, knowing that they haven't stolen anything, would agree to their demands rather than tell them to fuck off and call the police?

Ikeepmybumcheekshidden · 23/09/2023 21:01

@SisterMichaelsHabit I think you shouldn't have rang the bank and cancelled someone else's card, can you even legally do that with data protection? That's bizarre behaviour

I think you need to look on the back of your debit and/or credit and card and see where it quite clearly says "If found, please call: 08xxxx" Biscuit

Original poster
WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn · 23/09/2023 21:06

SofiaAmes · 23/09/2023 20:53

If her purse was stolen, then how did she still have ID on her? Sounds like a scam.

The ID she showed me was a work lanyard with her name and photo on it. I know the place she works and it seemed legit. So is don't see her purse or anything so it could have been taken too

I do agree with all those saying it must be a scam but I honestly cannot work it out as it involves so much chance and relying on me acting a certain way (approaching them)

If the two women were acting then they did a VERY good job as were totally convincing

OP posts:
Original poster
WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn · 23/09/2023 21:07

My DH is ringing the 101 number now to see what they say

OP posts:
Blueblell · 23/09/2023 21:09

I don’t think it can be a scam - too many variables.

They were probably a bit upset but they sound irrational to assume you stole the money. Hopefully they go home and think about it sensibly and you hear no more from them - unless it’s an apology!

Ikeepmybumcheekshidden · 23/09/2023 21:09

WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn · 23/09/2023 21:07

My DH is ringing the 101 number now to see what they say

Make sure he focuses the call on the threatening behaviour and not too much on the full backstory, as in my experience, given that they're call handlers and not actual police officers, they'll just tell you to speak to the bank or some similar unhelpful nonsense.

lionsleepstonight · 23/09/2023 21:10

I dont think it's a scam, I think they are trying it on though in the hope you'll be scared enough to pay up for the 'loss' (real or imaginary).

Calling 101 is the right thing to do.

Ikeepmybumcheekshidden · 23/09/2023 21:12

As for the issue at hand, I don't think it's a pre-meditated scam but I do think they've seized the opportunity to try make a few quid and essentially scam you. If you were a scared/timid old pensioner then you'd probably pay up just to get them away from you. They know this. That's what they're hoping for, hence the "We'll be back with Police or my mates" comment

MsJinks · 23/09/2023 21:12

Strange they were looking for it loudly as you walked past - and why be looking for it so frantically if it had been missing so long - long enough to have £700 cash gone. I could also imagine instead that it’s possible they spent that cash and now hope to get it back as they lost it and bank was informed by a stranger to help prove loss - their threats to you back up their story they believe it was stolen. As why didn’t they at least block card before you called the bank.
Still perhaps it’s genuine as in they think you took it - I once spent some time late at night finding the owner of a cat that was sadly run over though not by me - but it was on the road still and I stopped - they thought I’d done it, though it was cold - I appreciate how distressing it was, especially as I was unable to even move it for them - but it was a bit scary at time.
I would definitely phone 101 to flag this and I hope all is ok.

Ikeepmybumcheekshidden · 23/09/2023 21:13

They've definitely turned the existing situation into a scam in my personal opinion

Willmafrockfit · 23/09/2023 21:16

i doubt they will send someone round,

Willmafrockfit · 23/09/2023 21:16

i mean the women wont be back i dont think
awful threats though

whynotwhatknot · 23/09/2023 21:17

does sound very handy they keep turning up where you are almost like theyre following you

whynotwhatknot · 23/09/2023 21:18

out of interest my natwest card doesnt have my account number on it they took t off for security purposes apparently

oksothisisusnow · 23/09/2023 21:23

Tbh, if you find a card and call the issuer, they block the card and sometimes lock down the account its linked to until the actual account holder gets in touch with the issuer.

About a year ago, with my small baby I went to the butchers with my credit card, in the kerfuffle of getting back into the car, I must have dropped my card.

Only about half a mile from where I live mind...someone who knew a lady with my same name contacted her about the card. She called the issuer, in bits because someone was using "her name to obtain credit fraudulently" ...it caused the card to be blocked but they locked down my account until I got in touch, and I just needed to pass security, but until that point I couldn't access my app, and I couldn't tell if purchases were made or anything since losing it...

So I'm a little confused how they can say that they know of £700 in payments having been made from the account.

And I can't think for one moment the bank would say... go and get the missing money from whoever took it.

I'm inclined to think they're scammers.

Superduper02 · 23/09/2023 21:26

OP this really made me chuckle. This is the sort of mess I'd get myself into being a do-gooder (which is a great thing) My DM once found a purse. A lady was frantically searching for it. She handed it to her then the lady accused my DM of stealing a £5 note she had in it. You can't help some people!

You did the right thing to report to the bank but genuinely, approaching strangers with a cancelled card was just naive.

Sometimeswinning · 23/09/2023 21:27

SisterMichaelsHabit · 23/09/2023 19:37

I think you shouldn't have rang the bank and cancelled someone else's card, can you even legally do that with data protection? That's bizarre behaviour. But given that you did, you should have destroyed the card and not randomly asked someone on the street (even with the same name) if it was theirs.
Also how did they get your address?
And you've no way of knowing that the money really has gone missing.
Just phone the police if they come back and don't respond to any calls/messages (there was zero reason to give out your details to them anyway).
I think you've gone over the top being a people pleaser with this one and it's backfired horrifically.

Im not sure you’ve read that right 😂 the op didn’t cancel the card. Not sure how destroying the card would have helped either?

dawngreen · 23/09/2023 21:28

At least you know where she works, so you know where to send the police about the threats at your house.

WiddlinDiddlin · 23/09/2023 21:31

I doubt its a planned scam... too much effort and risk.

More likely they are a/total and dim-witted arseholes or b/arseholes who know it wasn't you but want to fleece you if they can.

Hopefully the police can take names and deal with it should they show up but I bet they don't. I would want someone to go and have firm words about making threats though, mm, I'd not let that lie.

Blueblell · 23/09/2023 21:31

That’s a point - depending on the timeline of them coming to demand the 700 quid. Lots of banks have a facility on the app to freeze a card. If they new how much is missing quickly I would assume they have online banking or an app. Why the high drama about them looking for the card.