What to do if you are a victim of bank fraud
Cases of bank fraud have been rising so it is important to be aware of how to spot fraud before you become a victim. Fraudsters are becoming well adept knowing how to target and scam people to gain access to accounts or to steal money from you. Don't be embarrassed and make sure you act as soon as you realise.
Contact your bank
If you think you are a victim of fraud your first step should be calling your bank as soon as you know to explain the situation.
Whether you have had your bank card stolen, your pins or passwords stolen, have spotted an unauthorised transaction made with your card or you have been tricked into sending money to a scammer, you should report the action.
Your bank should refund you for the amount you lost. If you have authorised payment they will assess the situation and decide whether you will get a refund. If you are unhappy with the outcome you should complain to your bank.
The Voluntary code for bank transfer scams should provide you with reimbursement.
Soon, in 2024 this will change to a mandatory scheme to ensure reimbursement for victims.
This is because some banks have not been reimbursing their customers fully.
If you used PayPal or card
If you used debit card and were scammed you are able to use Chargeback and get a refund for the exact amount. Chargeback is where you back requests a refund from the seller’s bank. This is used when you pay for something which is then never received.
If you paid by credit card and the item was £100 and more and less than £30,000 you should be able to claim a refund under the Consumer Credit Act.
Should you tell the police
The simple answer is Yes!
If you have realised within 24 hours that you have been scammed into sending money you should contact the police and report this. The sooner you report, the better chance the Police have at tracking the scam.
ActionFraud
You are able to report the fraud to ActionFraud which will give you the option of forwarding your details onto a support charity which can help you work through the outcome of your fraud experience.
