I tried to pay a bill online this afternoon,but had my Debit card declined.I know that my account is in credit,so couldn't figure out the problem.I then tried to access my online bank account,but no luck.I ended up phoning my bank,and it seems that there were a couple of dodgy transactions that were flagged up.I have a feeling that the problem stems from a Shell station that I use sometimes,as this was the only card transaction that I used whilst out.Needless to say,I shan't be using that Shell station again!All this a day before we go away to the Lake District for a week.

Sounds like card cloning. I went to a cash point a few years ago and unbeknown to me, my card had been cloned. The crims successfully managed x2 £10 O2 top-ups (to test if the bank spots anything amiss apparently), then tried to buy £800 worth of cosmetics online from Hong Kong - Because I'm worth it

The bank blocked that immediately and I could not access online banking or the app. The bank duly refunded the £20 that had been cleared and sent me a new card. Job done  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

We had the same, 2 x £10 O2 top ups taken from the account but no one mentioned that it was to check out the account.
We noticed it the day after it had been taken and had the card blocked so maybe we were too quick for them.
Plod told us we were not the only ones to have reported it and that they were all O2 top ups because O2 were the only phone company that didn't keep any records to tell what phone had received the top ups. Mine, Saab convertible
Hers, MY08 GS auto

Petrol Stations are a common source for cloning. Always watch to see if you card is swiped twice in two different readers. In most cases, your card should no longer be swiped at all, with you being asked to use the Chip and Pin pad only. If it is, question why and if you have any concerns, contact your bank and the Police.

My card was done a few years back and they emptied my bank account within 24 hours inc a £1000 overdraft. I bought £2000 air tickets in Malaysia at 2.30am on a Tuesday morning,£800 of pub garden furniture along with other items. The thing that got me was Barclays did nothing about it and I wasn't aware until they sent me a letter about the bank charges for being overdrawn.needless to say I don't bank with them anymore.

A local garage I used always had to put in my PIN number, ok fine, and as you do you try to hide or cover the key pad with your hand so no one can see what number you are putting in, that was until the guy on the till said I dont know why folk cover the key pad because it shows on my till what the PIN number is youre typing in, yours is 1234, whatever and he was right.
I thought then how crap the PIN number security was as you only need someone not so honest and they have the details they needed to spend on your card?

I am sure that should not happen! 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Quote:

I am sure that should not happen!

The problem is that the hardware that is used at the point of sale is the unsecure part of the equation and the card reader more unsecure than the rest as they are supplied by the retailer. It is what happens between you putting the card in the reader and that data getting to the card company/bank that is the problem. Once the card is in the reader you won't know how many times the data is read and where it is stored and you're then going to enter the PIN number voluntarily.
As an aside, if you don't have an iPhone, try some nfc software on your phone and see what you get when you scan your chip and pin card!

There must have been something dodgy with his reader then, because thats what the guy told me and he read out my PIN Id just typed in and showed me on his display and I certainly havent told anyone it, so if it could be done there it makes you wonder where else the details are coming up too, I mean they wont tell you normally will they so you wouldnt ever know, you assume its all secure, but that proves it isnt necessarily so?

Apple Pay. Fingerprints only job done

You could but criminals would no doubt be chopping off fingers then, also I have fingerprint recognition for my computer and if you get any cuts it doesnt recognise you so wont let yourself in, so you can prevent yourself from emptying your bank account too.
Whatever is done someone is trying to find a way around the system and always do eventually.
Its all the person who invented money fault really..

This explains why a lot of card scams originate from service stations - too many independents staffed by young part timers whose pastime is hacking..... 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Nationwide blocked my account very quickly,so damage was limited.Largest amount was for £50 for a top-up card and a couple of small attempted amounts which flagged up a problem.The bank sorted the problem speedily and refunded the amounts stolen.The only problem was getting in touch with the bank in the first place.Tried phoning but couldn't get through. In the end had to contact them via Facebook!

I find Halifax are very good.

They can check for patterns & once blocked a (fraudulent) transaction for gambling because I had never used a gambling site before.

Also we once had a spending spree 40 miles from our home town, then drove home (quite quickly), went straight to local Tesco's to purchase food and got a phone call to check if it was us using the card due to its recent use 40 mile away. LR Freelander 2 2014 metropolis SD4 auto in Loire Blue.
LR Freelander 2 2011 facelift HSE SD4 auto in Firenze Red + Premium pack & cold weather pack (affectionately known as Eve) Sadly written off in an RTA Insurance write off December 2022😢.
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