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Scammed by HSBC fake text

73 replies

albairlanda · 09/01/2021 18:47

I've been scammed tonight by have text asking me to confirm if a new payee was set up by me. They payee in msg wasn't so I clicked link, logged in online through secure key online and followed instructions to cancel the payee and the payment. I was sure I'd just stopped fraud. Moments later I got msg to say I was in overdraft. Knew then I'd been scammed. Called bank and they said 4 payments had been sent out of my account totalling £1460. They've now suspended my net banking. It's weekend so fraud team not in and it will be out of hours fraud team who will look at it. The person I spoke to couldn't guarantee I'd get my money back as hasn't spoken to fraud directly to confirm but said they'd start an investigation. When I called action fraud to report formally they also said the bank sometimes can get it back, sometimes they can't. I thought they'd have to protect my money anyway and get me my funds back. I'm beside myself now that they might not be able to as arghhh. Wondering what other people experience is.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 09/01/2021 19:55

Nightmare

albairlanda · 09/01/2021 19:56

@user1471464702 I usually am. But people are right. It's when your vulnerable. Had a tough week home schooling 2 children. Was completely shattered! Was trying to get myself down for a nap after doing loads housework. Just the wrong time.

OP posts:
Mrsemcgregor · 09/01/2021 19:56

The bank could recognise that its unusual for the OP to be sending thousands of pounds to an unknown contact and freeze the payments.

Is it likely the fraudsters logged in from abroad or on an untraceable server? If so then that should have alerted the bank to a possible fraud.

It’s a tough one because yes people should be more careful. However banks have many vulnerable customers who they can’t rely on to be up to date with modern scamming techniques. Those people need to be protected, and the banks could do more IMO.

MadeForThis · 09/01/2021 19:58

Be on the lookout for future scams. They may sell your details as this scam worked.

albairlanda · 09/01/2021 19:59

@Mrsemcgregor they've stopped my account for less before when they thought it was fraud, eg big purchases or being abroad when it wasn't. I don't think the fact that it's weekend helps as fraud team not in. Will likely make it harder for them to get the money back as well because fraudsters will have more time to sent it to untouchable places. I'm sickened.

OP posts:
albairlanda · 09/01/2021 20:00

@MadeForThis I hope these people rot in hell.

OP posts:
Mrsemcgregor · 09/01/2021 20:05

@albairlanda exactly, I’ve had my card stopped when making an out of the usual transaction and had to phone to confirm my identity. This is what should have happened in this case. I’m sorry you’re going through this.

albairlanda · 10/01/2021 14:13

Update. Spoke to bank this morning. They've said they will retrieve the funds in 24-48 hours. They said that because the transfer was done on a computer and I never use a computer, only phone for banking, it was clearly fraud and I'm not liable. I'm feeling incredibly lucky.

OP posts:
Mrsemcgregor · 10/01/2021 15:04

That’s great news. I bet you’re so relieved.

pippapoo62 · 10/01/2021 15:16

This last week I have had 4 emails saying that Amazon have been trying to deliver a PS5 and need me to confirm ,when I don't open the email they send another and another , but I haven't ordered anything from Amazon so was aware it was a scam,also had emails from Halifax and Santander ( don't have accounts )saying that I am overdrawn.These emails are so convincing.

HermioneWeasley · 10/01/2021 15:21

Good news and easily done,. Good reminder here for everyone

JovialNickname · 10/01/2021 16:05

As other posters have said the weak spot with technology and security is always the squishy organic element using it! It is so easy to be taken in by these kinds of scams though x

JovialNickname · 10/01/2021 16:06

Great news OP! Smile

userxx · 10/01/2021 19:44

Good news, you've been really lucky there. Anything from HMRC, banks, council tax or any other random thing gets deleted straight away if it comes by text.

Dawnlassie · 10/01/2021 21:09

Sorry that you’ve been caught out by this OP but I think the recommended advice is never to follow links but log in via the usual channels

Yeah 100% this. Never ever click on a link you get by text. Always phone your bank by finding their number on genuine corresponence you have.

Dawnlassie · 10/01/2021 21:12

This happened to my daughter a few months ago - she banks with Santander. The first woman she spoke to about it was most unhelpful, almost blaming her. They seemed to change their tune after we drafted an email and cc'ed it to Money Saving Expert, and Guardian Money. She got her money back (£2000).
The banks really need to up their game with this type of fraud. It causes so much stress and worry

Almost blaming her? They should bloody well blame her.

The bank cannot stop fraudsters sending out phishing texts. It may come as a surprise to you but they dont have control of worldwide telecommunications. Perhaps your daugther should be more careful next time.

BenoneBeauty · 10/01/2021 21:51

Glad you got your money back Op. I almost fell for the same thing a while ago and got so far as inputting my name and only when I couldn't remember my password did I actually think about what I was doing and realised it was a scam. The fraudsters really are bastards.

dementedpixie · 10/01/2021 21:56

Yes, never ever click on a link in an email or text. If you want to check something log in through your usual channel and check it there

myusernamewastakenbyme · 11/01/2021 06:40

I am fairly savvy when it comes to scams etc but i dread getting one of these texts or emails...they only need to come through when you are stressed or busy and they've got you.

profpoopsnagle · 11/01/2021 07:07

I had the same text yesterday, and I don't bank with HSBC but it did look very real to the texts that I do get from my normal bank.

MsTSwift · 11/01/2021 07:13

I’ve got to the point now where I don’t believe any communication at all from any company.

Our account was cleared out overnight a few years ago. Was reimbursed as dh and I had t done anything they somehow got access to our account and someone in Florida spent all our money.

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 12/01/2021 17:10

I posted earlier up in the thread about a text scam I received and NatWest refusing to refund me the money.

I’ve been through the financial ombudsman and they have ruled in my favour and NatWest have been forced to give me my money back.

So for anyone else it really is worth going through them I’m so pleased.

Certainly a massive lesson learnt on my part but what a relief. It was £2800 so quite a sum.

myusernamewastakenbyme · 12/01/2021 18:12

@IDoAllMyOwnStunts thats fantastic news...well done.

albairlanda · 12/01/2021 19:47

@IDoAllMyOwnStunts I'm so pleased to hear this! Brilliant outcome. Sorry it had to take so long.

OP posts:
IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 12/01/2021 20:14

Thank you - the relief is immense. Bloody NatWest putting me through that. I hope they are fined by the Ombudsman as they’ve caused extra work for them too having to investigate it. I read somewhere that NatWest are the worst bank for not refunding fraud victims. 😰

So please appeal to the ombudsman everyone. Certainly worth it for me.