Visa Electron unauthorised debit

[oscartony]

I had a visit off a debt collector last night and he asked for my bank details until a direct debit could be set up, i agreed that he could take some money next friday when i could cover it, today i went to the bank and he has taken fifty pounds and i am left with pence, is this allowed!

[Ethel]

I don't understand how he could possibly have done it.

Did he have your bank card?

[oscartony]

ethel he took the bank details from me

[Ethel]

Yes, but having bank details should not be enough to get money out of your account.

Phone your bank now and report it.

[factor-fiction]

Unless you filled in a direct debit form I can't see how he could be allowed to take the money just by quoting your card details. Report it to your bank as a fraudulent transaction

[oscartony]

he took the 16 numbers expiry and the 3 digit security number but had no authority to take any money, basically the details you would give to buy something online

[themas]

As he has the details - & clearly has some means of using them (presumably his employer or business has done it treating it as a customer not present transaction) - you need to be very careful. It is likely it will happen again - in fact almost certain if you still owe them any money.

Unfortunately, some people in the debt collection business are not altogether straightforward in their dealings with debtors. May be best to cancel the card & get another one. But do complain to your bank anyway.

[factor-fiction]

Now I realise you gave him the security code I think there may not be much you can do.
Am I right in saying you gave him the details so that he could take the money from your account but he has taken the money a few days earlier than you expected? If so, is there any evidence that a later date was agreed?

[oscartony]

no evidence we agreed verbally that he would take the amount a week today,contacted my bank who said there was nothing they can do and that i had to contact the finance company who surprisingly never got back to me as promised.

[innocenti]

A very hard lesson learnt here. NEVER ever give baliffs/debt collectors your bank details. They will draw out as much as they want when they want. Dont even set up a direct debit either, use only standing order if you have to. None of my creditors has my bank details, I pay either at the Post Office or the bank.