General Chat

Daughter has a friend who recently used an ATM to withdraw £10.00. Within a short space of time, the bank contacted him to ask if he had made a large purchase. He told them no, only £10 withdrawn from an ATM.

Further investigation by local police found the ATM had been tampered with. It was reported to fraud department within the bank and they promised to get it sorted out.

Poor lad is in an area outwith his own town as was during agency work. His months wages have been taken and he has not a penny to live on. They the bank say it may take weeks to sort but in the meantime, they will not give back the money that was taken from his account.

We helped him a little last week with a few pounds as he really doesn't have any family members to help him but we cant help out any more.

I advised him to go into the local branch and explain he is lodging with someone but has to buy his own food etc and he now has but £2.00 to his name.
Failing that ive told him to go to the CAB to see if they can help.

As an ex bank employee, I know that initial investigations can take a week or 2 but 5 weeks and counting seems so unfair.

Has anyone else been a victim of this type of theft? if so how long did it take your bank to refund the money you have lost?

He doesn't have enough money to get him a ticket back to his home in Scotland. At present he is down in the south west of England.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Florence
in the hebridesl

Poor lad! Can your daughter do a crowd funding thing for him? It's so wrong that he's been left in a mess like this. I wonder if the agency he works for can help him?

These thieves care nothing for the people they rob. I hope karma gets them back very soon.

Lizx

Thankyou Liz for your advice. Hes going back into the bank tomorrow. Ive told him to politely ask to speak to a manager not just the cashier as last time feel he may of been fobbed off a bit by a junior member of staff.

The agency gave him just the one job as there wasn't another job after it finished so really hes not on their books unless they call him back to do another job(hes a carer that lives in).

I too believe in karma!

Florence
in the hebrides

Might they give him an interest free overdraft for the equivalent of his wages? If it’s their ATM, he’s certainly not to blame.

Failing that, could he approach social services? If they won’t give him an emergency loan, they might be willing to hand out a food bank voucher. Some food banks won’t turn anyone away, regardless of the voucher system.

Our son had his debit card cloned during his student days. They cleared it out up to his overdraft limit. I think the bank extended it temporarily. It probably took about 10 days before the stolen money was returned to his account. I can’t remember if we ‘subbed him’ or not. He was back home for the summer vacation at the time.

I once bought a chaise lounge from Ebay. Paid a van driver that I'd found on the web to collect it and deliver it to my bungalow.

Some time after I was informed by the bank that there had been two unsuccessful attempts to withdraw money from an ATM in London and a further attempt in Leeds. :-|

Have you heard how that young man is getting on, Florence? I hope his bank were more helpful when he visited again.

Lizx

Well sadly the bank are no help whatsoever. he went into the local branch where he is staying yesterday and today. They say the fraud dept are still looking into it and it maybe another 2 weeks before it can be resolved.

He went to CAB like I advised him only to be told until the bank have more information, they are unable to help him.

I cannot believe how unhelpful they have been to him.He is staying with someone but only temporary and living off their kindness. He was living with his gran, but she is in hospital at present and therefore cannot assist him.

I recommended he should go to the job centre as I recall they can do emergency short term loans in some situations. Surely the welfare must be able to assist?
Haven't heard this evening from daughter with an update yet but will keep you posted on what happens.

Thanks for your kindness Lizx

Florence
in the hebrides

I have just heard that my daughters friend was taken to hospital with chest pains. He has had a heart scan and is next to see the doctor.
Poor lad, hes probably having a panic attack due to all the stress with his bank etc which is still being sorted and as of yet unresolved.

However he went back to CAB and they have intervened on his behalf so maybe it will speed things up.

I hope he will be ok and its nothing serious. Will keep you posted.

Florence
in the hebrides

They did my sons card for £27 grand
Some gambling casino

The Bank covered the loss as he could prove he had never been to Gibraltar :-D :-D
So I think the poor lad will be ok

Crikey Joy that's a huge amount but so glad he got it back.

Thanks for your comment though, staying positive

Florence
in the hebrides

Oh bless him! These thieves just don't care what grief they cause. I hope karma gets them very soon.

I could send him a little money if it would help.

Lizx

That's awful, Florence.
As Liz says, I hope Karma gets the bar stewards!

Oh Liz how very very kind of you <3
Firstly he didn't get a good report from the doctor. Daughter got basics which were, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and a shadow on his lung. Was given painkillers and other medication but has to go back tomorrow.

He has managed to get in touch with some family members and hopefully they will now help him.
Unfortunately his family is all split in various areas and he is kinda estranged. I don't know the full details but he is a nice genuine lad and has been a good friend to my daughter.

Will keep you posted re the bank and his health but thankyou again for your kind offer.What a lovely gesture <3 <3 <3 <3

Florence
in the hebrides :-)

Poor lad, hope his health problems get sorted out well and also that he can get closer to family members again and they help him.

Let me know if he does need assistance, it would only be a little but even a little can make a difference.

Lizx

I will do Liz and thankyou so muchxx

Florence
in the hebrides

Hello peeps. Just a wee update but not all good!

Lad is now back home here which is great. The bank said this week, you will be getting a refund very soon...Fantastic he said(the lad) until the bank said"less the charges for investigating the fraud."!!!!(which apparently amount to half the money)

Ive told him no way...He is to ring the Ombudsman for advice and also to complain at the time it is taking.

Surely he does not have to pay the bank to investigate this out of his wages? Its unreal and ive never heard of this in all my years.

Anyone else come across this set up?

Florence
in the hebrides

Surely if the fault was a tampered ATM then it's the bank or the people who own and run the ATM that are responsible

Judging by this article, he isn't responsible for anything and the bank should reinstate his account to the position it was in before the theft - assuming he told them as soon as he realised what had happened.


https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/identity-theft-and-scams-what-you-are-liable-for

Tell your bank or building society as soon as you think your bank card might have been stolen, or that someone got hold of your account’s security details.

If money is stolen from your debit card, then the relevant piece of legislation is the Payment Services Regulations.

It says you must be refunded immediately if you have had money taken from your account without your permission.

Remember that:

You’ll be liable for any unauthorised withdrawals made before you tell your bank or building society, up to a maximum of £50,.

If the bank has reasonable grounds to think you have been grossly negligent with the security of your account or tried to commit fraud , it can delay refunding while it investigates.

You can be liable for all the losses, but realistically this will only apply if the bank or building society can prove you were grossly negligent. This means more than ordinary carelessness, for example telling someone else the PIN for your bank card, or leaving it written where anyone can see it in your office or workplace.

Unless the bank can prove you’re liable it must refund the money and put your account back in the state it would have been if the money had not been taken. This means that any interest or charges you have paid because of the fraud must also be refunded.

You won’t be liable for any losses once you have reported that your card has been stolen, or if you report that someone else might have got hold of the security details of your account.

Definitely a case for the Ombudsman, I think he should get compensation too for the poor handling of the situation etc

Good luck to him

Lizx

Yes Liz I agree absolutely. Hes going to phone on Monday.

Will keep you posted.

Nitexx

Andys mum, he never lost his card, the ATM had been tampered with and his card details cloned. The bank tel him after an unusual large withdrawel, that's how it came to light.Thankyou for your advice

Florence
in the hebrides