Bank Account Number and Sort Code

Danger Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:31

I had always thought that people couldn't do much with these details, until last week when I called up O2 to change the Direct Debit details on a contract I had bought for a friend.

For 3 months I had paid for the contract to my account, but she now wanted me to put it through hers. So I called up O2 and they asked for her name, account number and sort code and it was changed instantly.

The next payment went straight from her account. Surely they should have a few more checks in place? If it is as easy as this, I could use the details I have from Members Market people to make them pay for my phone bills :confused:

arknor · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:35

bet it would be really hard for the police to track you down

Dogoid · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:36

what was the acc and sort , just out of interest?

blastman · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:36

Danger Phoenix said:
If it is as easy as this, I could use the details I have from Members Market people to make them pay for my phone bills

humm, trust issues???

Danger Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:37

arknor said:
bet it would be really hard for the police to track you down

It wouldn't be... but that isn't the point! Shouldn't companies like O2 be doing more checks to prevent this sort of thing? Yeah the police can sort it out, but I rather they spend their time catching murderers etc. than go running around after someone who stole a bit of money...

Glaucus · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:38

the reason there aren't more checks. is it 100% guaranteed. So if someone makes a direct debit from you account. You will get the money back, pretty much no questions asked.

Danger Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:38

Dogoid said:
what was the acc and sort , just out of interest?

Funny

platypus · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:39

Danger Phoenix said:
If it is as easy as this, I could use the details I have from Members Market people to make them pay for my phone bills

And then that person queries the debit, and you eventually go to jail for fraud?

Danger Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:42

platypus said:
And then that person queries the debit, and you eventually go to jail for fraud?

True, but with all the scammers out there, someone must be able to get away with it?

I was just shocked when O2 didn't even ask to speak to the account holder or anything :eek:

V4NT0M · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:45

Danger Phoenix said:
The next payment went straight from her account. Surely they should have a few more checks in place? If it is as easy as this, I could use the details I have from Members Market people to make them pay for my phone bills

It's a direct debit you can claim it back anytime you want.

bum · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:47

please provide me your account number and sort code sire, as there are monies waiting to be transferred to your account.

V4NT0M · 10 Feb 2009 at 17:49

Sir all we need is your account number and sort code so we can go into the account and remove the pigeon.

purexxevil · 10 Feb 2009 at 18:15

Skyfall said:
Sir all we need is your account number and sort code so we can go into the account and remove the pigeon.

phonejacker!

roid · 10 Feb 2009 at 18:44

My favourite one was when he needed to 'steam clean' the monies

Danger Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009 at 18:59

roid said:
My favourite one was when he needed to 'steam clean' the monies

The best one was when someone was stuck in the account/vault, lol!

purexxevil · 10 Feb 2009 at 19:09

Danger Phoenix said:
The best one was when someone was stuck in the account/vault, lol!

having a heart attack right? lol that one was good!

"Do you want to be responsible for the death of the person in your vault?!"

big_white_dog84 · 10 Feb 2009 at 19:13

Jeremy 'arrogant fanny' Clarkson fell a victim to this too. He posted his account number and sort code in his newspaper column to show that nothing could be done with it, and some clever dick set up a payment to a charity with it.