is it safe to give my bank details out

[kent colin]

I have been talking to this girl from Russia and she said that she will come over to England and her aunt who lives in england will send her the money to come over, now she said that her aunt is in Cuba for 2 months and that your not allowed to send money from there only by bank transfer and this girl don't have a bank account and said her aunt is willing to put the money into my account and then I will send her the money for the tickets, I'm not shore if it would be safe, if I give her my bank details can she take money out of my account? not saying that she would but I just don't really know her, only talked to her a lot on the computer please can anyone help me on this matter thanks

[jno]

this sounds like a scam. I wouldn't do it. But if you must, why not start up a new bank account, with nothing in it?

[society]

Don't do it. Sounds very suspicious. Do as Jno suggested, open a new account with nothing in it.

And off course if she has your bank details she can withdraw your money. OMG How naive you are.

DON'T DO IT!

[Ethel]

Giving out the bank details to allow others to deposit money in your account is perfectly safe - name, sort code and account number is the only information needed.

Look on a cheque - all that information is there, along with your name and a signature when you use it.

Sp nobody can get money out of your account in that way.

The scam here is simple. The money is deposited in your bank account by A, you send money to B. A while later - could be days or weeks, that money is recalled because the account used to A send you money was operated fraudulently - the true account holder has said the transfer wasn't authorised.

So that money is recovered from your bank account. There is nothing you can do about it - it is regarded as stolen money at best, or more seriously money laundering.

So you do eventually end up out of pocket - scammed.

I have no doubt whatsoever that this is what will happen.

[society]

I don't think it's a good idea to even open another account to help her. Then she will have your personal information which she or anyone can use to commit identity theft or fraud.

Talk to your bank, maybe they can advise you and tell you if this is true about not being able to send money from Cuba.

[kent colin]

Yes I thought it might be a scam as well but i'm not shore as she is not asking me to send the money untill it's in my account, but don't know if she can take take money out of my account herself if it is a scam.

[Ethel]

Society - direct bank transfer is used very safely throughout the world. It is the quickest and safest way of transferring money, and nobody can get money out of your account just by being in possession of the sort code and account number - it is on every cheque.

I have accepted hundreds of payments from total strangers in this way - for my ebay transactions. My account details are even on my ME page.

It is no more riskier than accepting a cheque.

[kent colin]

Yes I will go down to my bank tomorrow morning and have a word with them and will post what they said thanks
I love this site

[nuoyg]

The fact you're asking the question conveys you have doubts and your own wording is ''I don't really know her'' so I think you've answered your own question...

If it was me I wouldn't do it at all. Even if you don't have a penny in the account you don't know if she'll start giving out the details to pay for things and you'll be in debt, or a victim of id fraud etc.

If the girl is genuine she'll wait for dear old aunty from england to get home and send her the cash/ticket - 2 months isn't really that long - and she doesn't know you either so it'll give you more time to get to know each other - perhaps have a conversation on the phone or something.

Plus you will be able tell by her reaction as to if she's genuine - if you say no then don't hear from her again the probability is it was a scam...However, say no and she continues to e-mail and aunty england books the old ticket and she comes over - Bob's your uncle and us answer bankers will go and buy hats.

If she is genuine she'll understand.

[themas]

Read, absorb & understand the 4th para. of Ethel's first post. Then if you do this, you only have yourself to blame for the inevitable result.

[kent colin]

I have just sent her an email that reads.. Sorry to here the bad news, Would it not be much faster if your Aunt put the money into one of your friends account over there then that way you can get the money out and get the tickets much faster. than you would if she sent it to me then I sent it to you, Also you know that you can trust your fried as you don't really know me and as far as you know I might get the money into my account and not send it to you, I'm not saying that I would do that as no way would I do a thing like that, I'm just thinking that it would be quicker to have a friend do it for you then that way you know that you can trust him or her, To be honest you don't really know me that well to put money into my account. Yes of course I want to meet you, The sooner the better. Please get back to me and tell me what you think of this idea.
Colin. Let's see what she say's about that

[Ethel]

Keep us informed, Colin - your reply was excellent.

[kent colin]

after sending her that email iI have not herd from her I have been getting at lest 2 emails a day from her so think she has clicked that I smelled a rat and she is not getting back to me. well that is if it is a she as u all know anyone can send a photo of someone else. Just like to say a big thank you to all of you for your help i'll think i'll look for an English girl now lol. I will be closing this down tomorrow thanks again colin

[society]

I am glad you were wise enough to listened to us, and I'm also happy to know you were not scammed by these trash. I hope this incident thought you a huge lesson. Take care!

Ps. How old are you

[kent colin]

yes it has tought me a lesson and i was 48 last week, why do u ask?

[jno]

glad you escaped alive with your wallet, Colin. Of course I can't guarantee that all English girls are honest, either.