A word of warning to all '08 VW Festival attendees

Hey,

I had a great weekend but unfortunately when I checked my credit card statement today I have had money taken out my account over the weekend which I did not do.

I believe my card was cloned at the Bradford Travel Lodge on the Friday night (time's correspond) namely best part of ?400 for a holiday to the Czech Republic.

So could everyone please check their statements to make sure the same hasn't happened to them.

Thanks

Adrian

P.S. Sorry this is the wrong section, I just wanted to make sure it was noticed

hope it all gets sorted for you adrian

that totally sucks.

im ok i aint used my card in weeks!

i havent used my card for 2 years,only deal in cash,as im paid cash from doing the jobs at work,i dont trust electronic money,i like the folding stuff with the queens head on it  :wink:
Bert

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but since the fraudsters have had your card number they will have had access to your account details and personal information (eg; name address, dob). You may think so what lots of people have my name, address and dob, but the truth is thats all they need to obtain a passport, driving license, mortgage etc… the likely hood is you wont know its happening till a bill lands on your doorstep! then youre really in trouble!

do you check your credit rating regularly?? if not maybe you should because that is the 1st place any further fraud will appear! you can do it your self for a monthly fee with companies like experian or there are companies which, for an annual fee, will monitor things like that for you (identity protection) and tell you if something changes and then deal with any future problems for you!

I hope nothing further does happen but I used to work for a company who dealt with identity theft and fraud so im only too aware of the reality!

Blimey!

I phoned the bank, they are gunna send out some forms.. typical.. in the mean time I've locked the credit card so it can't be used.

You always here about this happening but never think it can happen to you! I'm very careful with money but shows just how easy it can happen.

Dave - What would your advice be now? I've been thinking of changing banks for a while and after the way I was dealt with this morning I have no doubt I will ditch Natwest.

I'll keep an eye on one of those credit checks for the next few months, I've heard good things about Experian.

Good job I have online banking and check it regular

should get the money back under the fsa compensation scheme so wouldn't worry bout that. as for a different bank account don't use halifax as i have had nothing but bad service from them and definetly don't ever open a post office account with the bank of ireland i work for them and they are horrendous!!!

My Stepdaughter had a similar experience last year.

She tried to pay her dentist and the card was declined even though she'd just been paid. Turned out it had been cloned at a Total Garage in Cambridge and ?700 went to Portugal I think it was.

She had to prove to the bank that she hadn't been in that country at the time of the withdrawal. :?

Took a while, but she did get her money back in full, so hopefully you will with no probs

Its not so much the money thats been taken, thats quite easy to get back. its the potential damage that can now be caused!

I wouldnt worry too much about your existing accounts as its very unlikely they will try for any more cash! the scum bags who steal the card details (clone the card) have no nuts!

*WORST CASE SENARIO*

They will spend alot in a short space of time and then stop so's not to get caught. They personally wont use your details any further because theyre after fast cash to pay for drugs or some such, not the long haul. They sell your details on to someone who is a professional fraudster who will use your details to open new bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages etc… and leave you with the bills!

The police wont help you to resolve an issue like this because as far as the law is concerned no crime has been committed against you. its the banks who have been ripped off!

So at best you're looking at having to repay the debts on your own, at worst prison!

There are companies who offer a protection package for between ?60 and ?90 a year who will cover any losses or costs you incur while youre name is being cleared. and will do all the donkey work for you! figures at the moment suggest it takes upto 400 working hours to clear someones name when their identity has been stolen and cost upto ?10,000!

Dont be fooled by your house hold insurance company telling you you get identity protection as part of the existing policy as 9 times out of 10 this is little more than an advice line and youre still left with all the work and expense!

There is a service i would recomend you get sorted, with a company called CIFAS. it costs just under ?15 and the way it works is they send you a series of questions which have answers only you would know such as your favorite restaurant. Your name is then marked with around 300 finance providers and when finance is applied for in your name a number of these questions is asked. It isnt 100% gaurenteed that you will have no future problems but it make you a much much harder target to hit!

the info about the CIFAS service is here: http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=808-85

the company that provides the full identity protection is here: http://www.cpp.co.uk/idprotection.html

Like i said at the top of the page, I have gone on worst possible case! it could be that nothing else ever happens! (lets hope so).