Halifax useless with fraud

Beerbaron · 2 Feb 2013 at 17:17

I have just received a letter from Halifax/bank of scotland saying thank you for updating your address. Thats the first i have heard about an account with them :confused:

The letter is addressed to plot 1A 120, plot 1A was the name when it was built so no one would ever use that (new build flat).

I gave them a ring and the first chap was useless, he said there was nothing he could do. I would have to go into store (they are closed). I asked to be put through to a fraud department and he dumps me into a a queue that is closed.

I decided to ring back and the next chap said he couldn't do anything and gave me the direct number for fraud. Are some banks this poor with fraud?

Is there anything i can actually do?

buckeejit · 2 Feb 2013 at 17:37

From what I know, most banks etc would have their own fraud line.

Sounds terrible tbh, HSBC were great when I reported fraud in the past.

willhub · 2 Feb 2013 at 17:37

Most banks would say they can't do anything and they'll transfer you to the fraud team, it's the obvious action that an advisor would do. If the fraud team is closed, then the only thing to do is ring back when they're open.

alexakasloth · 2 Feb 2013 at 17:58

In the mean time check your credit history to make sure a fraudster hasn't done anything else like take out a loan in your name.

Beerbaron · 2 Feb 2013 at 18:00

I have a HSBC account and they were excellent when someone had used my card. Fraud happens 24/7. Its the banks money that's being spent so its in their best interests.

I spoke to bank of scotland. Again they couldn't do anything. I was told he couldnt tell me if anything is setup in my name at the address. He said that the letter is only saying they have updated my address and not a new account being setup. I still have to ring the fraud company on Monday.

I mentioned about doing a credit check but he said they use 3 different companies. Any idea which ones i should sign up for?

julianhj · 2 Feb 2013 at 18:01

www.noodle.co.uk for credit checks (it's free)
www.actionfraud.police.uk if you are actually missing any money or have credit obtained in your name.
You'll still need to speak with Halifax's fraud team on Monday.

arknor · 2 Feb 2013 at 18:03

how does someone change your address without photo ID or being able to intercept your mail because thats where the intiial change of address form goes to.

Beerbaron · 2 Feb 2013 at 18:16

Noddle is quite good. Its showing nothing strange on there.

The one thing the BoS guy said was, did i have a Lloyds account. Apparently they are part of their group. No customer details should be exchanged between them though.

Steeps · 2 Feb 2013 at 18:27

Halifax were fantastic when someone somehow gained access to my account. All my online banking has to be confirmed using a phone, whoever tried to get in tried changing my number which alerted my phone and within 5 minutes of me calling up I had my account locked down, all payments stopped and everything re-issued.

Beerbaron · 2 Feb 2013 at 18:34

I wouldn't go near a bank that thinks fraud stops at weekends

I will just have to see what happens on Monday.

Thanks.

mysticsniper · 2 Feb 2013 at 19:51

Have you checked out your account online to see if anything has changed?

FutileBreadMachine · 2 Feb 2013 at 20:34

Santander are awful with fraud. I made a thread a few days ago explaining how someone was able to request a new debit card for my account and my wife's, as well as PINs. They intercepted hers and drew cash and tried to buy stuff. Luckily my card arrived at our address (that's how I knew they had my details too).

I believe they stole our December bank statements and used the info on that to pass security checks.

The lame thing about Santander is that they don't tell you when someone requests a new card/PIN on your account. Natwest and Lloyds send you a text when this happens. The other dumb thing is that Santander just closed my account without telling me after I reported the fraud. I got an email from my ISP saying they couldn't draw this month's bill and then I phoned Santander, but they wouldn't deal with me, I had to go in to their branch yesterday. Then I had to wait at the counter for at least 30mins while the cashier tried to sort it all out. She looked like they were giving her a hard time on the phone and she kept coming back to the desk then returning to make another call.

Absolute joke. How am I supposed to know they have closed my account if they don't tell me? Accessing my money is pretty important, so a phonecall would be nice! I'm switching back to Natwest.

MrMoonX · 2 Feb 2013 at 20:59

I dont really know why people get their panties in a twist over bank fraud, likes its some personal slight, its not like being burgled. The Bank gives you your money back so who cares

arknor · 2 Feb 2013 at 21:15

Steeps said:
Halifax were fantastic when someone somehow gained access to my account. All my online banking has to be confirmed using a phone, whoever tried to get in tried changing my number which alerted my phone and within 5 minutes of me calling up I had my account locked down, all payments stopped and everything re-issued.

I don't understand why this isn't common practice as they could clearly implement it on a large scale like when you add a new payment in your online banking and you get the automated call with a 4 digit confirmation it would have been much better than the protected by visa crap that seems to have been scrapped

Beerbaron · 3 Feb 2013 at 11:05

MrMoonX said:
I dont really know why people get their panties in a twist over bank fraud, likes its some personal slight, its not like being burgled. The Bank gives you your money back so who cares

It wasnt so much the fraud itself but more the banks being useless.

Nexus · 3 Feb 2013 at 11:16

The fact you don't have an account with them though means that this isn't the kind of fraud where you find some money missing and you eventually get it back. This is somebody stealing your identity or address.

As others have said, get a credit report to see if any other agreements have been taken out in your name. I had a similar thing a year ago where somebody used my identity while using somebody else's stolen account details to order a load of phones and try and intercept them outside our house from the couriers.

diamount · 3 Feb 2013 at 11:21

A fraud department not being open 24/7 sounds extremely counter-productive.

platypus · 3 Feb 2013 at 12:45

Most banks fraud departments are open all the time. I've certainly not used a bank that this isn't the case.

Mr-White · 3 Feb 2013 at 13:10

julianhj said:
www.noodle.co.uk for credit checks (it's free)

How often do they update the credit score as mine is 7 months old ?

MW

diamount · 3 Feb 2013 at 13:12

platypus said:
Most banks fraud departments are open all the time. I've certainly not used a bank that this isn't the case.

Capital One don't seem to be.