10 replies to this topic

[pash]

Today my girlfriend recieved a phonecall from "American Insurance" (or something like that) and she started answering loads of questions which i wasnt too happy about to start with then they ask what bank shes with and she tells them. She is currently in a huff with me as i pulled the phone out of the socket as she was about to give her account number. :-(

So am i or is she?????

[duplu]

Strange for a company to ask for your bank details if you don't know who they are.

Then again the worst they can do with your bank details is put money in your account.

[senorcox]

Being American,
I wouldn't trust anything with the name American in it. I don't think our track record on anything says much. Steer clear. But you already knew that. Why would she give her account number???

SenorCox

[RB]

had the same recently with an approved "Orange" retailer offering free Motorola Vxxx then started asking the wife for bank account details driving licence number , passport details..so RB hears this grabs the phone and threatens the geezer with " Dont ring this number again or i will track you down and kill you..." in my best "hard man" Voice...

Not rung back since.....but i can always hope.....Bwahahahahaha
Mr Glock needs an airing....

:twisted:

[Johnstun]

IMHO I would say that you were soooooo right! i love the urban legends website and have read real stories about these types of scams, see for yourself....

http://www.snopes.co.../creditcard.asp

Although the above story is for a credit card scam the principals are the same...
In the www it is known as 'Phishing' ...

http://www.wtvw.com/...00&nav=7CPEO5ap

I think your lady encountered the same but via a phone call rather than email.

From above url
"They're deliberately misrepresenting themselves just to get their hooks into consumers' personal and financial information. Like fish that's been around for a few days, this practice really stinks. If consumers aren't careful, they could find themselves the fish of the day,"

Regards

[clever_one]

NEVER give you bank details unless you *know* who is calling.

That means either you called them or 1471 shows a known number.

Ask to call back in 2 mins then do 1471, I can guarantee the
number will be withheld.

If any unsolicitored caller asks for an personal details find out who they
are, if they are a "reputable company" then cancel any business you have
with them and tell them you will never deal with them again.

[eddiec]

Firstly, you are not paranoid. There is no reason, let alone justification, in "requiring" such information and any company, legitimate or otherwise needs to be told - very firmly - that they need to review their policies and procedures as they not only ask for personal (and un-necessary) information but also are opening the door to fraud and identity theft via social engineering. (Over here some companies, even the phone company you have your service with will ask you for your full social # - that s a no-no and you can refuse to give it and tell them that they are required, at a maximum, for the last 4 digits of your #)

Secondly, your g/f isn't stupid, it's just that it sounds like she is not aware of some of the scum out there these days pulling these tricks - or maybe she is too trusting. Either way you should educate her, maybe show her some web pages/articles about identity theft, fraud, social engineering attacks so that she can be more aware in the future and not do such a thing - or, god forbid, click a link in an e-mail that claims to be from a bank, putting in your info. <cringe>

Did you try dialing that number afterwards to see if you could get it? Alternatively speak to the phone company to see if they can tell you the number/some information and then notify the authorities/fraud squad, and maybe you can possibly track these people down and get them introduced to "Bubba". And if you ever get another call like this, ask for their #, their address... as much info as possible. Even say that you're in the middle of something important and that you'd like to call them back in a few minutes or so - gives you more information for the authorities.

As clever_one said, *never* give out any personal information such as bank account, social #, passport, driving license # - over the phone. (Or if you get one of those "this is your bank" e-mails)

Re senorcox comment, last year there were a bunch of adverts on tv for a company called "Ameribanc". Being a buttmunch for spelling I joked that I wouldn't trust any company that couldn't even spell banK right. A few weeks later the owners of the company were being sought for swindling people out of millions of $ - something like 140 counts between the two of them.

[iceman89610]

Sounds like that Mastercard scam that went around a few months ago. Someone I know got a called from someone saying they was from Mastercard and they seemed to know all about my friend.

Basically it ended up with my friend giving out there account number and before they knew it, there was unexplained transactions on the card up to the value of £1000.

All I can say is beware and keep all personal details exactly as they should be.... personal. In my opion, any legitimate company would already have these details anyway and wouldn't have to ask for them.

Just my 2p's worth.

[Zoltar]

Being American,
I wouldn't trust anything with the name American in it. I don't think our track record on anything says much. Steer clear. But you already knew that. Why would she give her account number???

SenorCox

America ain't all that bad. They do some good mucky books lol.

[eddiec]

Amsterdam is better for mucky books

[Monopoly60v8]

I got some American on the phone telling me I'd won something in some lottery i've never even heard off. He just needed my bank account details to transfer the money. As I have a savings account it means that only money can go in and none out, so i give my details, then he said that there will be a small charge.. After several minutes explaining that money cant come out of my account and that i didnt trust him with my other bank account details he said "Well F**k you"

I wounder if i'll ever get that money :?