Dad has become victim of pickpocketing anything else can be done?

GTO656 · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:03

Hey guys,

So basically got back home about 4PM today to find out that my Dad has been pickpocketed. He left the train from midlands today to London to sort something out. and on the London Underground near Leicester Square, he realises his was wallet missing and told me it might been the guy who was talking to him on the underground. Even without me asking him I know that he must have lost cash, and more importantly the debit card with him.

He said that it was around 1PM today and he tried to contact me but my mobile was dead(very stupid of me as the phone was left on in my pocket and only knew when started getting hot).

Now that it has been around 3-4 hours after it was stolen, I contacted the bank and they stopped immediately and send a new one in a few days(which is some relief to say). But I am extremely worried whether the thief would have used the card during that time and if my dad would be liable to pay back for it? and just a caution to everyone else beware of these horrible people

.

Thanks Guys

vanandjuanunited · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:10

Bank should cover misuse unless his pin was in the wallet

Scam · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:10

If you've contacted the bank then I really wouldnt be worried about being liable for any money spent on the card. Your Dad should have known that anyone talking on the tube is either a mentalist ot trying something on! No-one talks on the tube!

Sliver · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:11

Cards are useless without the PIN right ? So what's the problem ? Drama much ?

Malevolence · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:11

I assume he went straight to the police. What did they say?

Sliver said:
Cards are useless without the PIN right ? So what's the problem ?

You don't need the PIN to use them online.

Sliver · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:14

Malevolence said:
You don't need the PIN to use them online.

It's reported missing already, so all transactions from that point onwards are redeemable.

OhEsEcks · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:14

Sliver said:
Cards are useless without the PIN right ? So what's the problem ? Drama much ?

I'd have thought with an entire wallet going missing that identity theft would be a much bigger concern.

GTO656 · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:16

Scam said:
If you've contacted the bank then I really wouldnt be worried about being liable for any money spent on the card. Your Dad should have known that anyone talking on the tube is either a mentalist ot trying something on! No-one talks on the tube!

Yeh man, oh well its already happened so let be, I guess he would have learned something as this was the first time it happened to him. Im not sure about the Police as he hasn't mentioned it, but will get more detail when he comes back in a few hours time. edit yeh I just thought whether he has his driving license in his wallet aswell which could be another one. he told me he wud switch phone off and will turn it to let me know when he arrives so I can pick him up.

Caged · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:42

GTO656 said:
my mobile was dead(very stupid of me as the phone was left on in my pocket and only knew when started getting hot).

What?

GTO656 · 24 Jun 2015 at 19:45

Caged said:
What?

Oops let me explain my phone was left running with screen on, it didn't have much juice left about 35%(should have charged it I know!) by the time I knew it barely turned on.

Werewolf · 24 Jun 2015 at 20:06

IIRC as long as you report the cards missing within a reasonable time (IE as soon as you reasonably can) you tend to be covered for all but the first £50 or something per card. I think most banks etc don't even bother with that initial £50.

You have to be quite stupid (IE have your pin with the cards) for the banks to refuse it.

Re the cards, you can still use them offline in the UK (contactless and chip and sig but the latter is at the retailers risk), bt the bigger issue is that if the thieves are fast and organised they could make a copy of the card and have it in use in another country that is backwards and doesn't use the chip and pin (or even chip) system fast, like say America*

, but most card issuers have systems that would spot and stop such transactions as unusual.

*My card has had it's number used fraudulently due to poor computer security at online retailers three or four times.
Every time it's been used in America - including paying in person for refreshments at a cafe (so obviously a faked up card).

Efour · 24 Jun 2015 at 20:18

This is why you country mice should stay out of the big city.!

Hope you all learned something today.

Kuros · 24 Jun 2015 at 20:38

Going forward, I'd recommend everyone carry a chain attached to their wallet. Ones can be had for cheap as chips on various sites. Whilst it might not stop someone trying to steal it, at least you'll know when the attempt happens.

OhEsEcks · 24 Jun 2015 at 20:38

Kuros said:
Going forward, I'd recommend everyone carry a chain attached to their wallet. Ones can be had for cheap as chips on various sites. Whilst it might not stop someone trying to steal it, at least you'll know when the attempt happens.

Dude. That's so 90s.

arknor · 24 Jun 2015 at 21:02

Malevolence said:
I assume he went straight to the police. What did they say?

You don't need the PIN to use them online.

wouldn't you need the persons address?
I guess it's possible the thief has this though

Malevolence · 24 Jun 2015 at 21:03

Kuros said:
Going forward, I'd recommend everyone carry a chain attached to their wallet. Ones can be had for cheap as chips on various sites. Whilst it might not stop someone trying to steal it, at least you'll know when the attempt happens.

I already do. A short 8" chain attached to the wallet and a belt loop. Long enough to be able to use the wallet without unclipping it, but not long enough to dangle down.

As I posted in another thread, it's already caught one prospective pickpocket out.

squired · 24 Jun 2015 at 22:09

One of my biggest concerns these days is contactless cards that most banks seem to be issuing. Presumably they have low limits, but a thief could probably spend a fair bit pretty quickly without any issues.

Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android

Efour · 24 Jun 2015 at 22:18

squired said:
One of my biggest concerns these days is contactless cards that most banks seem to be issuing. Presumably they have low limits, but a thief could probably spend a fair bit pretty quickly without any issues.

Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android

£20 quid on mine and its totally covered for fraud, if someone did it.

Redz · 24 Jun 2015 at 22:20

Efour said:
country mice

Mousetraps in pocket would be amusing.

thebennyboy · 24 Jun 2015 at 22:36

The only payment card i take around with me nowadays is my credit card, i'm fully protected then. Just be sure to pay it off after use. It is contactless but as said before, because it's a CC you are protected.