Bank Card Fraud

I got my bank statement this morning, to find that some thieving bastard has used my bank details to purchase themselves a Virgin Mobile Phone to the value of £139.99. As my card has not be stolen, I'm assuming it is someone who has seen my card, taken the details, and used them to make an Internet purchase. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

But, there is a curiously comforting irony here .... The thief has to be someone really thick --- who in thier right mind would want a Virgin Mobile anyway - shit phones, and shit signal...... why why why would someone who has the chance to purchase any phone they want at no expense to themselves choose Virgin??? What a fLucking numptie! .

I've been told I will probably get the money back once the bank does their fraud investigation bit and issues a dispute with Virgin Mobile. However, they have cancelled my card so I will be without cash til I get a new one in 5-7 working days. Therefore, whoever is going to the Manchester social tomorrow..... the drinks are on you OK

A tenner . You meany! My BJs are worth much more than that

Oh, thanks, you've blown it now.... I was pleading poverty so that I can get a free night out tomorrow



I'm OK for money really, I have a bit (note I said a bit ) of cash in the house so I won't starve this week

I still want to know what total muppet was daft enough to buy a Virgin mobile

I could also tell them all about my big cock while I was on the phone ...... that is if I could reach them at all, with the Virgin mobile signal being regularly so bad and all

sorry to hear about this blatant infringement on your privacy and i hope the "numpties" (good word) who used it are caught, if it was used by them on an internet puchase or over the phone,surely the company wil have a send to address???

anyway blue sorry to hear about it, the bloody chip and pin idea is a stupid one in my opinion also, somebody could just as easily look over your shoulder while your using it and go and mug you outside, go to the nearest cash point and withdraw your limit, usually £300

Blue, if it gives you any consolation... the merchant is usually the one who pays for credit card fraud. Once its been proven as fraud he is the one that gives you the money, so virgin will via your bank be giving you the £139, and the numpty will get a free phone.

I reduce the risk of this sort of thing by having credit card insurance (its advertised in with your statement for £10 a year)... it gives you various bits of cover including free cash advance and next day card replacement... but the important bit is you will never have to pay a penny of the fraudulent transaction, so no arguing with the bank, and they can cancel all your cards with one call.

I have also requested a really low withdrawal limit on by debit card (£100), so that a lot less damage can be done with it... I never need that much real cash in a day so its no inconvinience.

I pay for everything on credit card, so that if the details are skimmed the money is going to my credit card, not from my bank account. That way I will never be defaulting on my bills or without cash because some sod drained my account.

As always be careful with cash machines to make sure there is no skimming device on the card slot.

If possible use a credit card... the consumer credit act gives you far more protection on fraud than you get with a bank cash card (or visa debit card).

Oh if you have a contract mobile phone insure that too. I know people who are still paying off £100's in calls made on their stolen mobile. And with standard agreements you have to pay for calls run up before its barred. Again asking for a low credit limit helps but they don't always implement the limit right away.

Just my 2p worth

The website the little thief bought he phone from should log their IP address thereby they will have all the information to hand when the bank cuffs them around the ear to give them the money back. So with said info they can pass this onto the old bill so they can do the neccessary.

I take it this person must have seen both front and rear of the card to get the 3-digit security number on the back?and able to write it down quickly.

Blue has this card left your sight? eg at a restaurant when you gave the waiter/waitress it to pay for a meal?

This used to be a ploy by a certain indian restaurant in Brum who's dodgy waiters used to save CC numbers to go on spending spree's.

nope twas a balti house in sparkbrook

I'm very careful with my card. I always keep it in my sight when making tranactions. The last time someone tried to take my card away to swipe it was in London over a year ago. I can't remember any occassions recently where this has happened.

They won't need the security number on the back to make an Internet purchase. I've only ever been asked for the card number and expiry date when buying off the Net. All they'd need is 20 seconds to remember the card number and exp date (not hard if you know how to "chunk"). I think it's more likely that some individual who works for a company that has info on people's bank card details will be the most likely offender - I bet they're having a right scam making one or two purchases from each card and then moving on.

But yes, if the powers that be at the bank do their job properly it shouldn't be difficult to trace the source. A friend of mine got frauded a few months back and the police caught the scammer who'd been doing it some time in the end. The bank's gonna charge me £5 for admin, but no biggie, seeing as the potential loss is a lot more.