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Original poster

Scammed and looking for some hope!

48 replies

Jw1102 · 06/10/2022 09:12

I never thought I'd fall for a scam in a million years, and on paper what I fell for last night was so obvious. I guess they're good at what they do and caught me when I was tired/distracted. Anyway, basically I gave an authorisation code to them and they already had all my debit card details somehow so they cleared my bank account. Saw the money disappear from my account while I was on the phone to them. Been reading about the chances of getting money back from the bank and sounds like because I was "negligent" I won't. So just looking for anyone who has been in a similar situation who got it back? Feeling so anxious and violated on top of having no money 😫

OP posts:
Original poster
Jw1102 · 06/10/2022 21:19

@Chickadeeeeeee I'd say that if you get a call from "your bank" etc to always tell them you're going to call them back on their main number and then they can put you through to the correct team. They basically called me and said my card had been flagged as being used in an unusual place. Probably the thing that got me was that it had really happened a couple of months ago and this call seemed very similar to that one. I had no idea of course that he already had all my card details and he tricked me into giving a passcode to him. Which I know if I heard that story I'd be thinking "oh you're such an idiot to give that out" but even though I questioned it he gave such a convincing explanation that I felt like I was being stupid to NOT give it out. You live and learn I guess!

OP posts:
Phoenix76 · 06/10/2022 21:58

So sorry to hear that @Jw1102 they're so sophisticated, it's what they do.

Just wanted to point out that you're absolutely right, tell them you'll call your bank on their phone number on their website but make sure when you do this you use another phone as they're so "clever" they can stay on your line making it look like they've hung up but are actually still there waiting for your call and they proceed to pretend to be your bank, mind blowing actually. Really hope you get your money back soon and you've done great posting this as it may stop someone else from being a victim.

Original poster
Jw1102 · 06/10/2022 22:01

@Phoenix76 that's terrifying!!

OP posts:
Chickadeeeeeee · 06/10/2022 23:05

Jw1102 · 06/10/2022 21:19

@Chickadeeeeeee I'd say that if you get a call from "your bank" etc to always tell them you're going to call them back on their main number and then they can put you through to the correct team. They basically called me and said my card had been flagged as being used in an unusual place. Probably the thing that got me was that it had really happened a couple of months ago and this call seemed very similar to that one. I had no idea of course that he already had all my card details and he tricked me into giving a passcode to him. Which I know if I heard that story I'd be thinking "oh you're such an idiot to give that out" but even though I questioned it he gave such a convincing explanation that I felt like I was being stupid to NOT give it out. You live and learn I guess!

How did they already have your card details?!! So was like it like internet banking they were able to transfer the money? Sorry for all the questions - it's scary how sophistication they are

tribpot · 07/10/2022 05:19

Yes, it's a multi-part scam. Your card details are either stolen from or more likely sold by someone you've given them to legitimately, but the scammers can't use them without getting the one time passcode the bank generates on a transaction.

Anamechangeisasgoodasarest · 07/10/2022 06:13

Yes, what @Phoenix76.

They don't disconnect the original call so when you think you are ringing your bank on the correct number they are still on the line and will "answer" as if they are your bank.

(not sure this would be as effective with mobiles, but they will mostly target people via landlines)

tribpot · 07/10/2022 06:19

I thought it was the opposite, @Anamechangeisasgoodasarest and this 'don't disconnect' thing worked on mobiles because with a land line you can hear the dial tone so you know you've terminated the last call.

Anamechangeisasgoodasarest · 07/10/2022 06:46

You may be right @tribpot - I very rarely make/receive calls on my mobile.

When I was aware of these sorts of scams, landlines were much more common (especially for the older population - not that I am insinuating anything about OPS age!)

When people are stressed/flustered then it is easy not to register the lack of dial tone.

These scammers are sophisticated and do this many, many times a day.

OP I hope you get some resolution from your bank.

Original poster
Jw1102 · 10/10/2022 17:39

Just thought I'd add this in case it's helpful to anyone who views the post - thankfully I got the money back today, less than a week after it was a stolen with nothing more needed than an explanation of what happened. So that's a huge relief and hopefully indicative of how the banks are now treating all scam victims. Thanks to everyone for the support.

OP posts:
supertedious · 10/10/2022 17:45

My mum recently fell for a Facebook market place scam, transferred the money. Lloyds looked into it and put a stop on the dodgy bank account but cannot retrieve the monies as they stated it was her own fault basically.

I'm really upset for her and disappointed in the banks attitude.

Original poster
Jw1102 · 10/10/2022 18:13

@supertedious oh no, I'm so sorry. That's so unfair.

OP posts:
supertedious · 10/10/2022 18:47

@Jw1102 thank you. She felt so embarrassed and upset with herself Sad
However, after reading this thread I'm going to take it back up with the bank as I feel they could do more.

thelionthewitchtheaudacityofTHISbitch · 10/10/2022 18:55

Jw1102 · 10/10/2022 17:39

Just thought I'd add this in case it's helpful to anyone who views the post - thankfully I got the money back today, less than a week after it was a stolen with nothing more needed than an explanation of what happened. So that's a huge relief and hopefully indicative of how the banks are now treating all scam victims. Thanks to everyone for the support.

Pleased to see this. First Direct generally do have excellent customer service.

ny20005 · 10/10/2022 20:07

@supertedious how did your mum make the payment ?

Amdone123 · 10/10/2022 20:15

@Jw1102 , I'm so happy you got your money back. I was thinking about you only the other day. @supertedious , Hope you get somewhere, keep plugging away , you never know.
It's horrendous the effect this has on innocent people. Please tell your mum she's not to feel embarrassed - they're very sophisticated ❤️

supertedious · 10/10/2022 20:50

@ny20005 she made the payment on her debit card with a bank transfer. We stopped it the next day and contacted the bank. However, they said there was little they could do. The police weren't interested as it was a civil matter.
I did some digging and this is part of a larger sophisticated group of "scammers" on FB. I reported the post to FB but it's still on there.

supertedious · 10/10/2022 20:52

@Amdone123 thank you I appreciate it. I'm going to ring them again tomorrow and insist they look into it again. Feel they are fobbing us off Sad

ny20005 · 10/10/2022 21:02

@supertedious debit card or bank transfer ? They're two different things

Bank transfers are like cash so you'd need to be able to show what sort of checks your mum did to make sure it was genuine or how the bank have failed to stop the transaction

supertedious · 10/10/2022 21:15

@ny20005 sorry it was a bank transfer, which is why the bank said she won't get it back as she willingly took the risk.

The bank said when they did try to retrieve it from the scammers account it had already been cleared out. They likely have many fake accounts set up which are then just closed down.

Such a frustrating situation. It's really knocked her confidence.

ny20005 · 10/10/2022 21:23

@supertedious it's worth you filling out an online complaint form on your mums behalf asking them to investigate the scam. Give as much detail as you can, it can be investigated further. They'll want to speak to your mum at some point so if it's not something you'd think she'd be able to do, you can ask that they email you to arrange a time when you can be with her

mdh2020 · 10/10/2022 21:30

Even MPs and Judges get scammed. Don’t feel ashamed and speak to your bank’s fraud department.

supertedious · 10/10/2022 21:40

@ny20005 thank you. I'm going to get onto it tomorrow and request I be present when they speak to her.
Thanks everyone I appreciate the advise and to challenge the bank's response on the matter.

ForOliveHam · 19/05/2025 10:24

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