Returned Debit Card-Accused of Theft

[WatchAnXFilesWithNoLightsOn]

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Apparently in the hours between her losing it and me finding it someone had withdrawn cash and spent lots online.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!

@Mountaineer0009 it could be a scam because they might not have had money taken at all- they are asking OP to hand over £700 instead of going to police.

I have a terrible memory. My ndn had a baby and gave her an unusual name. I went to write a card a couple of hours later and I couldn't remember the name atall.

I'm up with a grizzly baby. Can't believe that in what I agree is an entirely batshit chain of events, the thing people are questioning is I can't remember the bloody name! 😆

The first name was unusual enough for me to pause when I heard someone shouting it in the high street (think 'Odessa') and I can remember that! But the surname was long and I wouldn't have even known where to start with pronunciation!!

You do realise when reporting something to the police they need more than a first name, right? So when asked if I know who made the threats at our property, they need a bit more to go on than 'Odessa's husband' 😆 That's where I struggled to remember the name!

Anyway no more knocks on the door and it's reported now so we'll see what the 'follow up' is from 101 tomorrow

It won't have originally been a scam but they are chancers.

Oh this is typical of mumsnet st the moment. I posted about a situation I had at work (NHS,) and I got called a liar. It was mad.

Your mistake was not taking it to the local police station and getting a receipt for it.

Ha! Impossible dream - all ours are shut, I have no idea where the nearest might be. Ringing the number on the back of the card is the best and only thing to do.