Scammers may cost me £9000

crazyH

UPDATE - just spoke to Santander. They have refunded all the money - what a relief !!! Thanks everyone xx

That really IS good news.
Why did it happen?
What went wrong?

Ah that is good news. Phew!

Crossed posts! That’s great news CrazyH. You must be so relieved after such a traumatic experience.

That’s really good news crazyH. Well done!

crazyH

Had a text this morning from Santander saying, unless I transferred more money into my account, they would not pay/honour any of my standing orders or Bills. My main Bank is Barclays, but I do have an online 123Account and an old ISA with Santander. I rang them and they said that I had paid various people (they gave me a list) and that there was only £2 or so left in the account. They had even takeThe names they gave were totally unknown to me. On further talking to this Bank person, he said that this matter will have to be investigated further but he cannot guarantee that I will get my money refunded. When I rang the local Santander, they said because it was an online a/c they couldn’t help me.
If there’s anyone who is in the know about these things, could you please advice me? Thanks x

Did you ring the number given in the text? If so that would have been the actual scam...when you gave further details over the phone to them. Google the actual numbers and ring the actual bank fraud line.

Lovely news. They obviously knew they dropped the ball somewhere.

I hope you managed a few hours sleep CrazyH and that you receive encouraging news today.

UPDATE - just spoke to Santander. They have refunded all the money - what a relief !!! Thanks everyone xx

I dont use a smart phone for banking so if I get a text I cant click on any links as its an old dumb phone.

If I get a text on Santander about my account checking purchases I always ring back on another phone using the number on my statement. Then when I get put through to the fraud department I know I am talking to the real people.

Google Santandar fraud line (I could give it you as looked it up, but would advise you to check it in any case ) phone number then phone up ASAP ... do not leave till next week ... never trust people ... sorry to say ... when you have email's, texts or phone with phone numbers on for you to contact them ... also Google the company to check phone number first ... I had a plain police officer come here many years ago, want to do something here . I had his details, then told him I would check & he would have to come back later, was genuine but always check ... all the best also hopefully you should get your money back ...

Crazy please phone the Santander on a different phone than you spoke to the scammer ie use your mobile.
I was scanmed during the lockdown. I contacted the Financial ombudsman. They were very helpful indeed. I got all my money back. The bank even paid me interest as the Financial ombudsman said they should have reimbursed my money straightaway. Please PM me if you need any further help. It is a horrible feeling when you know you have been duped

rosie1959

A bit odd every new payment that goes out of a Santander account has a verifying number sent to your mobile which has to be entered on to the account transfer page before the transaction can be completed

I was just going to say this, Santander introduced this two way verification recently to avoid scams, if I make an online payment to a new person or company, I get a text to my mobile with a one time code. Sometimes I get this verification with regular payments as I think they do random checks. So I think Santander and other major banks are doing a lot to improve security.

crazyH

Still can’t get through - I’m having severe neck pain - so, got a heat wrap on , ibuprofen, sleeping tablet. First thing tomorrow one of the d.i.l. is driving me to the big branch in Cardiff so I can show them the text They can’t take any more money from that account - they’ve cleaned me out. Unless they attack my Barclays a/c , and my other savings. And I think you are right…the guy who I spoke to this morning is probably part of the scam. That’s why I hope to see someone face to face

This is why he said he'd call you back I suppose! So you wouldn't be inclined to report it.

CrazyH
Reading your OP again I’m sure the first text was from the scammers.
It reminded me of 2 texts I received from Santander which specifically said that there had been unusual activity on my account and to ring this number. I ignored it. They text me again. I ignored it. Then they called me.
I asked them my own security questions.
I base my assumption on the fact that liars give too much information.

X post, I see your DIL is helping you tomorrow.

Good luck

The lad you phoned is probably part of the scam if the number you phoned was taken from the text message.

Phone Santander's fraud helpline and also inform ActionFraud.

Your local branch should have been more helpful and advised you what to do.

Thanks again ?

Still can’t get through - I’m having severe neck pain - so, got a heat wrap on , ibuprofen, sleeping tablet. First thing tomorrow one of the d.i.l. is driving me to the big branch in Cardiff so I can show them the text They can’t take any more money from that account - they’ve cleaned me out. Unless they attack my Barclays a/c , and my other savings. And I think you are right…the guy who I spoke to this morning is probably part of the scam. That’s why I hope to see someone face to face

I hope you get through this evening CrazyH, how frightening for you. I've photocopied all my cards, front and back, so I have the right numbers in my 'money' file. Worth doing.

CrazyH
This article might help you to understand what you can do
You have to be strong and tenacious.
The bank will be all sweetness and light with you, but remember, they are not on your side.
As long as your certain that you did everything to protect your account you have a good case.

www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/beatthescammers/article-10084537/Fight-fraud-refund-fall-victim-scammers.html

are you able to check, do you do online banking, that what the person said has actually happened.
sounds like part of an elaborate scam set up.
good luck.

A bit odd every new payment that goes out of a Santander account has a verifying number sent to your mobile which has to be entered on to the account transfer page before the transaction can be completed

There is usually a contact number on the back of debit cards but from your last post I see you have the Santander Fraud Line number. I find it shocking that it is continually busy. I hope you get through soon.

No Sago - I did not transfer any money - it looks like a scammer has accessed my account ( I honestly don’t know how) and taken out various amounts in the names of different people, making a total of approximately £9000. While I’m writing this, I’m ringing the Santander Fraud Line and it’s continuously busy. Will update later

If you have online banking ring customer services the number will be on your statement much easier than ringing the branch think they are available 24/7