Scary fraudsters

I meant headlines in newspapers, not on GN. I know people on here simply pass on what info they can to warn others. I was generalizing.

'My DD was caught by the TV licensing scam. She realised a couple of seconds after she had given her details that all was not well and hastily contacted her bank to freeze her account. It was a lucky escape but she spent a week in limbo as she completely shut down her bank account and started a new one with another bank. A week of inconvenience but it could have been so much worse.

Whenever I need to transfer a large amount anywhere (even to DCs) I transfer a small amount (say, £1 or so) first then check with the recipient by another method (phone/text) that it has arrived in their account. I then transfer the balance.

I would never transfer a large amount anywhere without taking this simple precaution.

Anyone else do this?

We had, with hindsight, a lucky escape when we sold our house. We used a well known local family solicitor we had used several times before, and in fact knew her and her colleague outside of their work.
All went well for us, but a year or so later she was found guilty of embezzlement of the firm, including client money which should have been protected.
It was a huge shock to discover that someone we knew and trusted with all our legal affairs, wills, probate etc as well as house conveyancing, had stooped so low, driven by greed. A lucky escape for us.
Of course, insurance covers any losses to clients, but the old established family firm was closed down, the colleague had to find another job, after investigations cleared him absolutely. A worrying time for all concerned and shows that you can never be too careful.

Annaram1.I also had a letter from someone from a Hong Kong bank with the same details as yours sometime last year.

It is scary. I know. A few years ago I fell foul of fraudsters. I used to start typing www.sant.... for Santander bank in on Google to look at my account. Numerous addresses would come up even before I got to the "n" in Santander. I would click on the top one and be ok.

One day I clicked on it and had difficulty using the website. It said that verification of my identity was needed and they would send me a one off code on my mobile. They did that and I put the code in, not realising I had given them access to my current account. They took £600+. Luckily for me the bank was able to refund the money by teatime but not until I had spent the day proving who I was and generally worrying myself to a standstill.

I still bank online but am MUCH more cautious.