Should Fraud Victims Expect A Refund?

[anotheoldgit]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6965155/Fraud-victims-NOT-expect-refund-says-RBS-boss.html

We are constantly encouraged to use on-line banking, but many are becoming victims of fraud, and the banks warn us to be vigilant, but do the banks help to reassure that we are safe?

I ask this because the other day I clicked onto my on-line banking site only to find an entirely different web page design came up.

Not being used to this, I did not provide any details, instead I closed the page down and no longer feel safe to use their site again, should the banks notify their customers before making any such changes?

[aelmpvw]

an email from the bank would be helpful notifying customers of such changes but how do we know it's from the bank?

[hc4361]

If the victim has not been negligent in any way they should be refunded - that is the way it stands now and I see no reason for change.

[Prudie]

It's a difficult one but I do think there will come a point where the frauded one should take the loss - an example in my local paper recently woman had her purse taken in a supermarket and lost £2k from her current account within an hour. How? Because she had her pin numbers in her purse with her cards. If people, even through no fault of their own, can't remember a 4 digit number than perhaps thy shouldn't have bank cards in the first place.

[hc4361]

This would throw up additional problems.
Currently the account holder is not the victim of the fraud, the bank is because it refunds the money.
If the bank did not refund the money then the police would have to issue a crime number to the account holder and hopefully actively investigate the crime. Currently banks have specialist fraud investigators so the cost of investigating would pass to the police.
If the account holder is not refunded would he be able to claim from his insurance company? This could push the cost of insurance cover up for everyone.

If the banks were not liable would they invest more money in making accounts as secure as can be? Where would the motivation be if fraud didn't cost them anything?

[hc4361]

Prudie, I'd be surprised if the bank refunded that victim as she definitely was negligent.

[shaneystar2]

First Direct who I bank with recently changed their log in layout but they did warn people that it was going to change,both by email and on the website.
I pay everything by credit card to be on the safe side and although I haven't been a victim of fraud my son was some time ago . Someone had hacked his card when he bought something on line.It was a large amount of money and the bank flagged it up as an unusual spending pattern and got in touch with him about it and refunded him.

[teacake44]

What if your ripped off for a jar of jam?

[Prudie]

Yes hc I'm not sure what the outcome was but how daft can you get - yet I believe many people still do it.

[spathiphyllum]

Yes i think so. If someone stole my bank cards from me i’d want my money back

[hc4361]

shaney, you are only protected under s.75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for purchases over £100. You get much better protection under £100 by paying with your debit card.

[hc4361]

spath, if someone stole your wallet with £1000 cash you wouldn't get your money back

[Ken4155]

I use on line banking quite a lot because i frequent quite a few gambling accounts, particularly on a Saturday. My deposits into these accounts are, in the main, constant and the bank obviously know this. On the day of the Grand National, i watched with my 4 children and their partners and all asked me to place bets on for them. The irregular deposit was initially refused by the bank who immediately sent me a text asking if i was the person attempting to place this sum of money in the account. I confirmed this and the deposit was accepted. If the bank didn't follow this practice, i would either change banks or cease on line banking. As it is, i believe i have an adequate safety net.

[spathiphyllum]

Hc, that's not fraud though, thats theft of cash

[hc4361]

My bank always texts me if I my card is used for an amount above my chosen amount which I find useful and reassuring.
I once tried to book a holiday online and it was refused until I had spoken to the bank to confirm it really was me.

[hc4361]

Okay, spath, if a fraudster persuaded you to hand over cash you wouldn't get it back.
That did happen to somebody I know, he bought a second hand car that had been stolen.

[jno]

that's the trouble, Prudie, with banks and cash machines closing down, many people feel they have to have some sort of card even though they don't want to. All part of the coming cashless society.