Anyone work in a bank?

[Ochrecushion]

Could you advise please is it safe to give my bank account details to a stranger who wants to transfer £200 to my account to pay for paintwork damage to my car? Long story short, a woman accidentally reversed into my car in health centre car park. Damage superficial and not worth claiming on insurance. I don’t have PayPal. Is there any risk in providing her with my account and sort code numbers?

Part of me thinks it’s what I do if I order and pay for something one the phone eg a food takeaway. Is there any risk in doing it?

Thanks in advance.

I do. I wouldn't feel worried handing out my bank account and sort code details, they could set up a direct debit but highly unlikely and you'll see that and can cancel it.

Just don't give your long card number, expiry date or security code. Account number and sort code is fine

Thanks very much for your reply. She has my name and phone number as we’ve exchanged a few texts while I’ve been collecting garage quotes. I tend to err on the side of caution and admit it threw me when she asked for my bank details to transfer the money. Then I thought if I’d just ordered a Chinese takeaway over the phone I’d have given account and sort code 😊

No, you gave your long card number for the takeaway!

No risk handing account number and sort code,

Admittedly I haven't ordered a takeaway over the phone anytime recently, but how do you pay by giving them your bank account details? I wouldn't be happy to do that.

It's really easy to set up PayPal.

You’re right, its the long card number 🙈

Why don’t you set up PayPal?

Yes, I really should set up PayPal. I’ll look into doing that

It’s not risky. If you give someone a cheque (retro!) they see your bank acc number and sort code. Can’t do anything with that info really.

Your bank details would, as above, be on a cheque. If you make a payment to somebody your details are likely to be capable of being ascertained.

I've got bank details for any number of businesses including the guy who services our caravan and the window cleaner.

As part of my work I can authorise small one off grants to people with serious illness. Most give their sort code/account number and name as on account without worry. A few are edgy about it. The odd one starts to read of the 16 digit number.

There's nothing anyone can do with your sort code and account number apart from sending an online payment to your account. Your card details are something completely different and can be used to debit your account.

Thanks everyone. I gave the woman my account number and sort code and she immediately transferred the cash. But I realise I need to move with the times and set up a PayPal account.