Author Topic: There are some weird scammers out there (Read 7259 times)

LazyNinja · « **on:** March 12, 2008, 10:16:46 AM »

Someone stole and used my bank details and paid £250.90 for gift vouchers online. I contacted my bank and then they refunded me the stolen amount,

BUT

I got the vouchers in my post and a little card saying "Happy Birthday" even though my birthday is in December. WTF :? I'm creeped out. I suspect these vouchers might be fake but they seem pretty authentic. What am I supposed to do with them? It looks like I'm trying to con my bank!

Twinfan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2008, 10:20:22 AM »

Ring the bank and ask them what they want you to do.

gwEm · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2008, 10:44:51 AM »

my instinct would be to burn them and forget the matter

but twinfans probably right

Twinfan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2008, 10:52:53 AM »

Either option wil probably work!

Technically the bank own them, so I'd ask them what to do. However, don't let them take the money out of your account to pay for them as you don't want to end up buying them!!!!

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2008, 11:18:22 AM »

Sell them to a mate for £125 and see if they get nicked trying to spend them :twisted:

LazyNinja · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2008, 11:44:44 AM »

Quote from: ToneMonkey

Sell them to a mate for £125 and see if they get nicked trying to spend them :twisted:

Haha brilliant idea but not to a mate I'd do it to some dicks from around here.

I called the bank. They said just return the vouchers to the company. I guess I should be sensible and do as they say although it's tempting to spend it somehow. Having a stash of money in your hands, even if they were vouchers plays funny tricks to your mind sometimes. I'm pretty shocked my head is even thinking this. But don't worry guys I'll return them.

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2008, 11:51:24 AM »

I'd have had a bash spending them and then pleading ignorance if I got caught "No Officer, I thought they were a late birthday present from my Auntie in New Zealand, the note looked like her handwriting"

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2008, 01:47:30 PM »

Yes - I think honesty would be the best course

And send them recorded delivery to have proof of receipt of them by the company.

I am worried that the company is somehow involved in the scam, as they seem to be the only beneficiary of a successful scam, unless they are a company like Amazon or whatever.

On the other hand it may be that someone is testing your details out first

It may be worth doing a credit report with Experion or Equifax to make sure that there arent other things being taken out in your name

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2008, 05:29:46 PM »

I'd ask you bank for advice on this too - what steps are they taking to prevent this happening again? Seems that they should cancel that card and maybe issue you with a new account number too.

LazyNinja · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2008, 07:42:50 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

I am worried that the company is somehow involved in the scam, as they seem to be the only beneficiary of a successful scam, unless they are a company like Amazon or whatever.

On the other hand it may be that someone is testing your details out first

That's exactly what I thought too. But then the website seems legit. http://www.giftvouchershop.com

I thought someone might have been testing it out too but why would the scammer make it so obvious? I'm still baffled by this.

Quote

It may be worth doing a credit report with Experion or Equifax to make sure that there arent other things being taken out in your name

Is that to check that no one has used my name etc to sign up for a new credit card etc? Thanks I'll have a look.

Quote

I'd ask you bank for advice on this too - what steps are they taking to prevent this happening again? Seems that they should cancel that card and maybe issue you with a new account number too.

They've issued me a new card and it has a different security number on the back. This should be enough to stop the scammer from using my Visa right?

Jonny · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2008, 09:05:31 PM »

Honesty is the best policy.

ailean · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2008, 10:13:20 PM »

Contact the company who issued the vouchers, ask how they were ordered, if it was online ask them to provide the IP address of whoever ordered the vouchers, hand that plus copies of eveything to the police.

The reason I say hand it over to the police is not only that you might help them stop a scammer, but if the company is involved hen the police should be able to determine that. If they do anything at all... not sure how far they will take it.

Jonny · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2008, 10:30:21 PM »

Quote from: LazyNinja

I thought someone might have been testing it out too but why would the scammer make it so obvious? I'm still baffled by this.

Paranoia can do more damage than certainty?

Philly Q · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2008, 11:13:35 PM »

Quote from: FELINEGUITARS

On the other hand it may be that someone is testing your details out first

Yeah, I had an incident like that - someone, somehow got hold of my card details and tried to buy a few hundred dollars' worth of clothes from New York(!). Happily NatWest must've realised I only ever buy clothes when my old ones fall to pieces and called me straight away.

But anyway, when I got my statement it turned out they'd "tested" the card first by buying some software or something for just a few quid. I got the money back.

I wouldn't use the vouchers, something's not right about it. Send them back.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2008, 11:48:58 PM »

I agree with those who suggest sending them back and I am incredibly sensible.