Beware Of Scammers

planenut · 28th September 2023, 06:49

A neighbour of mine whom I thought was totally on the ball and "xcammer aware", called for help yesterday.
She had received a telephone call from "Barclays Bank Fraud Department". The caller was later described as "professional" but I realize that means "very devious".

He persuaded her that someone in her Branch was withdrawing money from her account, and to combat it she would have to transfer money to an account, and she must not reveal what she was doing "in case the teller ws the culprit".

My neighbour is 80, and fell for it leading her to drive to the Bank and make a transfer.

We called the real fraud section of Barclays and they blocked the account immediately, and the transfer, of several thousand pounds, was stopped.
Due to Barclay's quick reaction, she has lost nothing.

Be very wary of the parasites. A Bank will not ask you to transfer cash, nor give account numbers. If in doubt, put the phone down and call your Bank.

MissMoppet · 28th September 2023, 07:38

I keep a referee whistle by the phone and ask 'Can you hear me properly? " before giving a very loud blast down the line.

Borg Warner · 28th September 2023, 13:16

Couple of years back I had to transfer a modest amount of money to my sister. Got the details and was speaking to her on messenger. Said I'd drop a tenner over first to see if it was all OK and as it was sent the rest. Within minutes the phone went and it were Barclays, didn't answer the call but then both mine and my sister's accounts were locked. I called them back and they were brilliant asking if we were under duress. Said it was all above board and my account was unlocked after an hour or so but my sister had to wait until the next day.

Can't be too careful but we'll done to our banks.

torque2me · 28th September 2023, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by planenut

A neighbour of mine whom I thought was totally on the ball and "xcammer aware", called for help yesterday.
She had received a telephone call from "Barclays Bank Fraud Department". The caller was later described as "professional" but I realize that means "very devious".

He persuaded her that someone in her Branch was withdrawing money from her account, and to combat it she would have to transfer money to an account, and she must not reveal what she was doing "in case the teller ws the culprit".

My neighbour is 80, and fell for it leading her to drive to the Bank and make a transfer.

We called the real fraud section of Barclays and they blocked the account immediately, and the transfer, of several thousand pounds, was stopped.
Due to Barclay's quick reaction, she has lost nothing.

Be very wary of the parasites. A Bank will not ask you to transfer cash, nor give account numbers. If in doubt, put the phone down and call your Bank.

This is a well known scam and has been featured on the BBC on two separate programmes. One is usually on BBC1 between 09:30 to 11:00 hours time frame. This scam is so widespread there is always two cases on those programmes as examples and it bores me personally as I like to hear about the latest one's or the more arcane.

So, she was not all that "scam" aware but being frightened by the thought of losing one's dosh, I suppose puts one into panic and frozen logic mode. At least no harm done except some petrol used. There will be no "just pop to the bank" in the near future. My bank is closing 24 June 2024; so much for all the previous caring adverts and mission statements.
Kev

28th September 2023, 06:49	#1
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,955 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	Beware Of Scammers A neighbour of mine whom I thought was totally on the ball and "xcammer aware", called for help yesterday. She had received a telephone call from "Barclays Bank Fraud Department". The caller was later described as "professional" but I realize that means "very devious". He persuaded her that someone in her Branch was withdrawing money from her account, and to combat it she would have to transfer money to an account, and she must not reveal what she was doing "in case the teller ws the culprit". My neighbour is 80, and fell for it leading her to drive to the Bank and make a transfer. We called the real fraud section of Barclays and they blocked the account immediately, and the transfer, of several thousand pounds, was stopped. Due to Barclay's quick reaction, she has lost nothing. Be very wary of the parasites. A Bank will not ask you to transfer cash, nor give account numbers. If in doubt, put the phone down and call your Bank.

28th September 2023, 07:38	#2
MissMoppet Posted a thing or two R 75 Tourer diesel Conny 2002, V6 Conny saloon petrol 2003 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Taunton Posts: 1,130 Thanks: 212 Thanked 406 Times in 223 Posts	I keep a referee whistle by the phone and ask 'Can you hear me properly? " before giving a very loud blast down the line. __________________ Rover 75 Tourer Conny 2002 remapped 160 auto, R75 V6 2.5L auto Connoisseur 2003

28th September 2023, 13:16	#3
Borg Warner I really should get out more....... None Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2,579 Thanks: 494 Thanked 657 Times in 402 Posts	Couple of years back I had to transfer a modest amount of money to my sister. Got the details and was speaking to her on messenger. Said I'd drop a tenner over first to see if it was all OK and as it was sent the rest. Within minutes the phone went and it were Barclays, didn't answer the call but then both mine and my sister's accounts were locked. I called them back and they were brilliant asking if we were under duress. Said it was all above board and my account was unlocked after an hour or so but my sister had to wait until the next day. Can't be too careful but we'll done to our banks.