Text Scam (In This Case Not)

[Arrods]

Had a text from my bank asking me to text Y or N depending on whether or not I had made a transaction as it had been flagged as a possible fraud. The actual amount was for zero to Google, but in Malaysian ringgits. I had been in Malaysia for most of April.

Before I responded to the text, I called the bank’s number on the back of my card who confirmed that the text was genuine. They asked me to text N and immediately a text came back with a new telephone number to call. The temporary stop on my card was then confirmed and I was told to expect a new pin/card in a few days.

So a shout out to the bank for picking this up. But why would the fraudster try to pay a nil amount? If it was to test the system, why not use a small amount? Does it also mean that, where I have used my card in Malaysia for genuine purchases, someone has obtained/been passed my details to perpetrate a fraud?

I now have to change my saved card details with the firms I trust which I don’t mind but by coincidence my regular milk bill payment failed minutes after my card was stopped which I guess confirms the system works.

Any comments on the above would be welcome. Thank you.

[William51]

The banks do a good job on warning its customers about scams. These are difficult times and i suppose we just have to go along with what our banks want.

[Tuvok]

Well done for being suspicious and contacting the bank on a genuine number.

[Buenchico]

The bank might just have been a bit over-cautious. If, say, you downloaded a free app from Google Play Store while you were in Malaysia, it might very well show up as a zero payment to Google on your account.

[Peter Pedant]

standard tecnic - take a small amount and see if anyone notices

may also occur in restaurant booking, and in a petrol pump with card pay ( they take a small amt before you start to see if the card is OK)