Site Asked Me For Sort Code; Is It Safe?

[TheSnakeman]

I was offered a full refund from Mask House UK with the alternative being a swap, for an out of stock item but they need my bank card number and sort code since according to the email, my site account and payment details differ. Is it safe or does it sound like scam?

[jno]

sounds like standard procedure to me. In the old days of paying by cheque, the cheque always had your account number and sort code on it.

[chrissa1]

Yes. If you paid by card then they know this already. However, why is there a discrepancy in your payment details?

[Buenchico]

A quick check of their details doesn't show anything dodgy. They've got a physical store in Newcastle (rather than just trading online with no geographical address), so they look safe to me.

As has been said, if you pay by cheque your sort code and account number are on it anyway.

[chrissa1]

They are a genuine shop in the Eldon Square Shopping Centre in Newcastle, as Chris said. I’ve walked passed their shop a few times so they are not a faceless site. If that helps.

[TheSnakeman]

Here is the email that they sent me

Dear TheSnakeMan,
Thank you for your order and once again, apologies for no inventory.
We have tried to refund you, but unfortunately the details you have on your Mask House account does not match with your payment account, so we can not refund back to your card.

Please can you give us your bank account number and sort code, we will make online payment to your account.

Thank you
Regards
Mask House UK Team

[Buenchico]

It's generally best not to include bank details in an email if you can avoid it. Give them a call tomorrow (1000 to 1800) on 0191 261 4282.

[THECORBYLOON]

If the details didn't match, how were they able to take the money from your account?

[andres]

Bank cards do have the sort code on them but I have never been asked for it .

[TheSnakeman]

I will phone them about

[Jackdaw33]

Nothing to worry about. They need the sort code in order to pay into your account directly. They can pay into your account, they can't withdraw. I make a number of BACS payments and it is perfectly safe.

[jno]

have you maybe paid with a different credit card this time from the one you normally use?

[Old_Geezer]

Just so long as they aren't making a BACS withdrawal. Moneybox explained how lax banks are with giving others your money that they have. I'd suspect all's well in this case; but you are right to be cautious.

[Thunderchild]

As far as i know they cant take money with your sort code and account number alone.

[fiction-factory]

>"As far as i know they cant take money with your sort code and account number alone."

Some criminals seem to be able to set up DD/standing orders with the details though

[Grandpappy]

Sounds like a scam to me- keep schtum and wait for them to move!