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AIBU?

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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Apparently in the hours between her losing it and me finding it someone had withdrawn cash and spent lots online.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:
Sunshinenrain · 23/09/2023 21:35

I’m not sure if was a scam because that would rely on you giving it back.
It’s also registered with her name and the banks would probably get suspicious if it’s getting cancelled every 5 mins.

But I’d definitely log the threats with the non-emergency police.

They must be idiots to think you’d use her card and then go out of your way to hand it back.

The fact that they accused and threatened you, is completely out of order and hopefully the police will contact her as you know her name.

It also covers you if they decide to go to the police.

ActDottie · 23/09/2023 21:41

Definitely call police on 101 as you’ve been threatened. It’s so sad when you did a good thing and now they’ve turned on you :(

Original poster
WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn · 23/09/2023 21:42

Thanks all. 101 weren't very helpful but we've 'logged' the incident at our house and the threat. They've assured us it will be followed up

The only annoying thing is I can't remember the lady's name. It's unusual, long and with lots on consonants so I wasn't much help with 'who' threatened us but thanks to poster who reminded me I know where she works so that might help

DH has also ordered a ring doorbell 'just in case'

OP posts:
Willmafrockfit · 23/09/2023 21:45

did you look her up on social media @WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn

FarEast · 23/09/2023 21:51

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.

oh come off it! It was EXACTLY the right thing to do.

MonumentalLentil · 23/09/2023 21:52

Her work might have a website that lists employees. Or she might appear in a Google search under the company listing, you would probably recognise her name if you saw it.

Soapyspuds · 23/09/2023 21:55

Lesson learned but sadly there are so many arseholes around these days that it is not worth trying to help people. Next time take the card and cut it up before binning it then leave it at that.

However
Why are so many people claiming OP cancelled the card? She phoned the bank and THEY decided to cancel the card which is probably standard procedure.

CaroleSinger · 23/09/2023 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Dud it really warrant a sarcastic personal attack? Thankfully not everyone needs it spelt out to them.

Blueeyedmale · 23/09/2023 21:58

I think its a scam too OP withdrawal limits on a card are between 250 to 500 pounds a day depending on bank but absolute max is £500 sounds like a scam to me I would call 101 even just for advice or peace of mind that they have a log of your call

fuckssaaaaake · 23/09/2023 22:02

WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn · 23/09/2023 21:42

Thanks all. 101 weren't very helpful but we've 'logged' the incident at our house and the threat. They've assured us it will be followed up

The only annoying thing is I can't remember the lady's name. It's unusual, long and with lots on consonants so I wasn't much help with 'who' threatened us but thanks to poster who reminded me I know where she works so that might help

DH has also ordered a ring doorbell 'just in case'

So the name was soooo obscure that you recognised it when they were shouting to each other but now you can't remember the name??? Ok

KissyMissy · 23/09/2023 22:02

Blueeyedmale · 23/09/2023 21:58

I think its a scam too OP withdrawal limits on a card are between 250 to 500 pounds a day depending on bank but absolute max is £500 sounds like a scam to me I would call 101 even just for advice or peace of mind that they have a log of your call

She has rang 101

Emotionalsupportviper · 23/09/2023 22:05

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.

OP didn't cancel the card - the BANK cancelled the card when OP said she'd found it.

And she didn't give them her details either - read the post. But otherwise you are right - OP needs to contact the police. She is at a disadvantage in that they know her address, but she doesn't know theirs. But the bank would certainly know how much activity there had been on the card that day - but whether it was a thief who had used the card, or this appalling woman (and she is trying it on), they probably wouldn't be able to tell unless there was CCTC at the shops where it was used.

bruffin · 23/09/2023 22:09

Last time i found a card, i reported it to the bank. I then googled the name and turned out to be a local counsellor who was a friend of my friend
I messaged told her that i found her cards but the bank had cancelled the card. She was really grateful to me and offered me a discount in her shop.

DinnaeFashYersel · 23/09/2023 22:09

@fuckssaaaaake

OP still had the card with the name in her possession at the time.

Namechangegardens · 23/09/2023 22:09

This sounds like an opportune scam, and they sound like a bunch of dafties. I hope they move on and leave you alone soon.

fuckssaaaaake · 23/09/2023 22:11

Yes but if it was such an unusual name (OPs words) wouldn't you remember it now? Odd

MySugarBabyLove · 23/09/2023 22:11

IMO it’s a scam because:

They claim someone stood behind them at the cash point and saw them entering their pin and then happened to be around when the card was dropped, assuming the card was going to be dropped which was a long shot.
Then, having found the card, the alleged thief went to the cash point, withdrew money, made a load of online purchases, then dropped the card. That makes no sense.

It may not have been a planned scam, but I would bet money that they withdrew the cash, did their online purchases and were planning to tell the bank that they’ve been defrauded as part of the card being lost. And then when you came along they decided to approach you as well. I would lay money on them still contacting their bank’s fraud department.

The only thing I would say you did wrong though is to give the card to the people. When you reported it lost the bank will have told you to destroy it, which you should have done.

Gillbil · 23/09/2023 22:13

That sucks,and it does sound like a scam. I hope it works out OK for you.

MakeAListTheySaid · 23/09/2023 22:13

So the name was soooo obscure that you recognised it when they were shouting to each other but now you can't remember the name??? Ok

Strange isn't it. The whole thing is quite unbelievable really. Well done OP I guess.

ittakes2 · 23/09/2023 22:14

Of course you rang their bank - I am not getting why people are saying you shouldn't have. Besides you didn't the card - you rang the bank to report a lost card and they took the precaution of cancelling it.

Blackandwhitemakesgrey · 23/09/2023 22:24

I think MrsJinks has guessed what the scam is.

WorkSmarter · 23/09/2023 22:30

Hobbes8 · 23/09/2023 19:43

I reckon they’re trying to scam you. They must know a criminal wouldn’t hand them back the card and then hand over piles of cash at the door.

Gosh you could be right? Possible scam 🤔

amechange · 23/09/2023 22:30

How did they know your address?

MonkeyChiselTree · 23/09/2023 22:31

This is so random! But that threat definitely needed reporting.

LoudAndSqueaky · 23/09/2023 22:37

Blimey what are the chances.