This Is Scary For Your Credit Or Debit Cards...

[boxtops]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/it-started-with-a-phone-call-before-i-knew-it-i-was-another-victim-of-identity-theft-8738646.html

Sounds so legit - I know Barclaycard rang me (legitimately) when my then card had been cloned - how would you know?!

[Gromit]

Jno posted on that story yesterday

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1263442.html

[sp1814]

I read this story earlier today. Like the author, I think I'm pretty tech-savvy (actually, I'd go as far to say that I am, as I work in IT), but I still have a nasty feeling that I would've been fooled by the 'ring the number on the back of your credit card' bit.

It needs to be publicised far and wide, that if someone calls you, they effectively take control of your phone until THEY hang up.

Very clever and intricate scam.

[sp1814]

Actually, the first thing anyone should do if they are contacted by 'their bank' to say that there's been irregular debits on their account, is it check their statement online.

[boxtops]

Ah - didn't see yesterday's thread, this was in today's paper. I too like to thing I'm careful about scamming, but.....

[boxtops]

True, sp, but not all of us are fully on-line with all our accounts.... one to remember, though.

[sp1814]

boxtops

The thing about the story in your link is that it was so plausible.

The fact that they knew his last transaction (because he'd been 'shoulder surfed' at the cash machine) and his home address (because he'd been followed), coupled with the 'ring the number on the back of you card - well, the cumulative effect of all that would be enough to satisfy most people.

The one bit I don't understand...how did they know his name???

[Jeza]

In about 1984-5 The Halifax hole in the wall robbed me of £20. I have never used an ATM since.

[LazyGun]

The key indicator that this was a fraud was actually the request for the PIN number. Banks ( as far as I an aware) will never ever ask you to speak your pin or enter it into your phone. Never ever give out your PIN, to anyone, ever.

[jno]

interesting that two different newspapers have picked up the same story from his blog (I hope he gets paid twice). But it deserves retelling.

It was quite a shock to me. It never hurts to ring the number on your card - but clearly, you'd better do it from your mobile, if you have one. Or check your statement online, if you have one. But what if you haven't?

[ubasses]

Ask the caller for some historic transactions on your account. The genuine Bank will have access to this info. In fact if the Bank does have to ring you that is what they will do in the first instance.

[naomi24]

LG is right. Banks won't ask for your pin number. My card was cloned - I believe at a major retail store - and the bank picked it up within half an hour of the details being used. They asked me if I had made a transaction for £1 - yes £1 - at a local garage within the last half an hour. I said no - and they put a stop on the card immediately. Brilliant service!

Apparently fraudsters start of with low amounts just to see if it works before they go on to bigger and better things.

If I'm in doubt about the source of a phone call regarding credit/debit cards, I ask the caller to write to me. They never do.

[Jeza]

I'm very careful where I use my debit card. As a rule I get any cash I want from the supermarkets that I trust.

[naomi24]

Jeza, I believe the details of my card were taken at the till of a reputable major high street store.

[jno]

the only time I've had any credit card trouble was when someone used mine to insure their house.

Clearly a mistake - after all, they gave their name and address and everything - but I've sometimes wondered how that managed to slip past even the most rudimentary security checks.

[sp1814]

Everyone who has mentioned the PIN number thing is correct.

Another check you could do is to ask the person to confirm any of your regular standing orders or direct debits.

Only you bank would know this.

Thanks for posting this boxtops. There are a now a few less people who will be taken in by this.

Indeed...I actually WANT someone to try it on now, so I can lead them a merry dance...eg. if they asked me to package up my credit card and wait for a courier, I would instead package up a cheddar cheese slice.

Oh the fun...