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Original poster

Feel sick I think I've fallen for a scam and they've got my bank details and everything oh god please help me I've been so stupid

29 replies

Kenworthington · 30/06/2012 19:56

Oh god where to start? I'm starting my own business and shortly after I started I got phone calls from this company saying they were something to do with business energy and making sure I was on the right rates and getting me off the emergency rate. It was very very plausible. They asked for serial number ofthe meter and found the premises and kept saying how they wanted to make absolutely sure they had the right dates that I moved in ao I wouldn't be paying more than I should be etc etc

So then a couple of days ago I thought right I'd better actually phone the electricity provider that the previous tenant had as I had orig said to the landlord that I'd stick with them and he had informed them so I was waiting to hear back. So I called them and they said they had to check on the best prices for me and call back 2 mins later. 2 mins later I get a call back. I assume it's this energy company id just spoken to. But it's not it's the same people from before. But because I'd literally just spoken to the others I thought they'd instructs them to call me iyswim. I agreed a tariff with these people they said they would handle everything and like a total totall twat I gave them all my banking details for the direct debit.
Of course I then get a call from the energy suppliers I originally contacted. They don't know anything about it. I can't remember the name of the supposed. Ompany that called me. I am completely fucked aren't I? I feel so stupid and so sick. What's going to happen now? What can I do? Not told Dh or anyone in rl about this. Please please help I'm really panicking! And I know how stupid I've been please be kind :(((((

OP posts:
RandomMess · 30/06/2012 19:57

Get in touch with your bank NOW - they must have a 24 hour emergency fraud line or something?

JollyGoodFun · 30/06/2012 19:57

Phone your bank. Their fraud line should be open all the time.

amillionyears · 30/06/2012 20:02

No practical advice to offer,but you have my sympathies.These companies are very good at what they do and very slick.And it is easy to see how you thought they were the other energy company and so did what you did.

Honeymoonmummy · 30/06/2012 20:10

Don't worry, if you ring the anti fraud helpline I'm sure they will help you

Sarcalogos · 30/06/2012 20:12

Don't panic and phone the banks fraud line, it will be ok if you act fast.

Hassled · 30/06/2012 20:12

Don't feel stupid - the reason these people keep at it is because they're convincing enough that enough people fall for it to make it worthwhile. And the people who fall for it aren't idiots - the scammers are just good at their job.

Original poster
Kenworthington · 30/06/2012 20:14

I phones the bank. Effing bloody useless. They kept going on about cancelling my card! It's not my bloody card arggghhhhh! Eventually
Made them understand I think and I have to go into branch on Monday and sort out and close my acct and open a new one :( I really honest and truly haven got time for this.
What happens legally and stuff if it turns out not to be a total scam but just v expensive brokers and cos I agreed to it over the phone and it was recorded? What happens then? Like money wise etc? Oh god oh god oh god

OP posts:
BarbaraWoodlouse · 30/06/2012 20:17

If legit but expensive, I'm pretty sure you should be covered by Distance Selling regulations which give a cooling off period. Try Consumer Direct.

Pedigree · 30/06/2012 20:18

Move quick, it is the weekend, no payment should have come out yet, and be vigilant, not wanting to scare you off but the way they operate is to lie down for a while and come back for the money a few months down the line. If you give them your bank details for a direct debit, this shouldn't be any problem, if you gave them the number of your debit card/credit card, including the 3 number digit in the signature strip, get in the phone now.

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 30/06/2012 20:18

But if they have your sort code/acc number it is only the information that anyone would see on a cheque you wrote.

If its an new set up genuine energy account, they will likely have a cooling off period.

If its a direct debit you have authorised, the direct debit guarantee should cover you.

Honestly, take a breath. If it's a scam, the bank will be able to help you. I can understanding it would make you feel awful, the worry though.

discrete · 30/06/2012 20:19

I'm pretty sure you always have a cooling off period where you can cancel any agreement you have come to which enters you into a contract, so I would not worry about that.

I actually am not completely sure what you may be liable for if you have only given them your account details such as would be used for a direct debit - have you given them anything else such as your mother's maiden name or something like that?

You can get your bank to prevent any new direct debits being set up on your account.

I am in Europe and we regularly have to give all our banking details to all and sundry, it's practically used as a proof of residency.

Viviennemary · 30/06/2012 20:27

Don't feel bad. Get in touch with your bank straight away. They are used to this kind of thing and know how to deal with it.

Original poster
Kenworthington · 30/06/2012 20:32

How can I cancel it though? I don't even know who it supposedly is with. Like I said I really thought it was the same comPany I'd just been speaking to. Just told dh he said he doesn't reckon it's as bad as I think.
Can they even take direct debuts if I haven't physically signed anything?

OP posts:
Original poster
Kenworthington · 30/06/2012 20:35

They don't have mothers maiden name but they do have eldest child name and my date of birth. Why would I have thought they would need this anyway?

OP posts:
ThisIsMummyPig · 30/06/2012 20:46

You have to make time to go to your bank. If you can't go on Monday then go as soon as you can. If it is legitimate, you can set it up again, if it's not then the only way to be sure is to have a new account. They can't do much with your child's name or your date of birth. Please don't feel stupid, I fell for a double glazing one once of all things, and I used to work in a bank!

shrinkingnora · 30/06/2012 20:55

There is only one energy 'broker' for business use. It may have been them who called you first. They are actually really good but listed under multiple names so it is very confusing. Do not panic - if you only gave them your sort code and account number it will be fine. Many, many companies print this information on their invoices (mine included) for ease of online bacs payments.

discrete · 30/06/2012 21:00

I think any agreement entered over the phone would have to be signed, yes, so if it was a broker they would presumably be sending you some documentation.

Keep a close eye on your account and if any new direct debits are set up you can cancel them immediately. Or better still talk to the bank and tell them not to accept any new dds.

amillionyears · 30/06/2012 21:07

shrinkingnora,I'm pretty sure you are not correct saying there is only one energy broker for business use,unless I am misunderstanding you in some way.
There are a load of different ones for business use as far as myself and DH knows.

Dprince · 01/07/2012 08:07

There are several business brokers for energy.
Anyway, I don't think you have been scammed in that they will steal your money.
They will be a broker and they make out they are your supplier take the meter serial numbers and change your supplier. Dh fell for this but his supplier switched back. They usually advise a tariff change and 'check your details'.
However if you are worried you should speak to someone at the bank that can help. I would recommends always make notes of these things when speaking to them. Get reference numbers, names etc.
I work in this industry and take those sorts of calls for dh when i am around. The lies these people tell are unbelievable, when i question them they usually hang up.

shrinkingnora · 01/07/2012 18:27

Are there? Cause I phoned about 5 and they all ended up being under the same unbrella company!

shrinkingnora · 01/07/2012 18:28

Could just be my area though.

shrinkingnora · 01/07/2012 18:29

Or do I mean broker? I mean like a go compare type thing. I know there are other individuals. Down side of running your own company is you;re too exhausted to make sense......

Peppin · 01/07/2012 22:37

I had a client with a similar problem about a year ago (I am a lawyer). The distance selling regs don't apply if you are operating as a consumer. You may be able to fall on their mercy but there are a lot of ruthless utility companies out there and you may have a struggle if you are contractually bound Sad

Peppin · 02/07/2012 10:18

Sorry, should have said: don't apply if you are NOT operating as a consumer.

amillionyears · 02/07/2012 11:32

Peppin,I wasnt sure of you were right with your post last night,but decided to leave it.Now you have posted again,and I am still confused.
Could you explain again please.
For instance,when you agree things over the phone like this,are you saying yes to some sort of contract,and is there still a cooling off period.
My DH changed his mind about a phone call a bit like this except the company was legitimate in his case as far as we knew.And if I remember correctly,we ended up sending 3 solicitors letters by recorded delivery,before the company backed down.

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