Help: Debit card fraud

**bjl584** · 08-16-2011, 12:58 PM

I moved your post to the Personal Finance area. Please elaborate on your situation.

**kocikocev** · 08-16-2011, 01:14 PM

bjl584 thank you for moving my thread . My dad used to work in the USA for some time and came back to Bulgaria three years ago , leaving a personal account linked to a VISA card . He came back in December 2008 and since then he has not used the card . In May 2009 he received a statement with the correct amount in the account and since then he has not checked his statements. However , he is now planing to go back and one of his friends brought the latest statement which showed that over half of the money were missing. We froze the account, but as he's not there we are worried that it has elapsed too much time . Is there a chance or hope that we can persue or something can be done to identify the person behind this. From the bank told us that the last transaction (one of many ) was for 899.11$ but there some in Euros. Thank you for your help!!!

**photo** · 08-16-2011, 06:00 PM

Whose name is on the account? If it is only your father's name, then no one other than himself should have access to it. Is your father's friend's name on the account? If not, then he should not have access to the statement.

One other thought is that sometimes banks have minimum account balances, which means that if you don't keep a certain amount of money in the account, the bank can charge you money for maintaining that account. Another possibility is that since you said the savings account is linked to a Visa account -- which sounds like the debit card can be used like a Visa card -- that someone may have fraudulently used his number for credit card charges.

It sounds like your father needs to write the bank and tell them that he has not withdrawn any money from the account. Also, many, if not most, banks in the US have online access. Depending on which bank it is, your father may be able to sign up for internet access so he can see details of his account himself.

**danieldroga** · 08-17-2011, 02:14 AM

You have to seek for a legal advice on what you should do in order to get the money back. You have to tell the bank about your situation and ask for assistance.

**kocikocev** · 08-17-2011, 05:18 AM

Yes we called the bank , they said the card was used in June 2009 and he luckily found a friend of his in the bank , but he said that it has been more than 2 years . Now I don't know if i watch too many CSI movies but I think it is still possible to track the fraud . It is a fact it was used but how can someone use it without his permission when he was here in Bulgaria . It is very easy to prove that he didn't use it. He will contact the police and bank authorities next month , but i want to know how this fraud is possible . We understand that it is our fault but he thought he leaves his money in a safe place for 3 years without anyone shopping around the world on his behalf with his hard earned money , isn't what banks are for?

**photo** · 08-17-2011, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by kocikocev View Post

It is a fact it was used but how can someone use it without his permission when he was here in Bulgaria .

Was it a credit card charge, or did someone withdraw the funds from the bank?

Many times, it is easy for thieves to obtain the card information and to make a purchase without the card being physically present. All he had to do was use his card in a restaurant, and when the waiter took the card back, could have written down the number and either used it later or sold it to someone else. Unfortunately, it happens quite frequently.

The bank should be able to tell you when and where the number was used.

**bjl584** · 08-17-2011, 07:04 AM

The bank will be able to know exactly where and when the card was used. It most likely will be for items and at places that your father didn't frequent, and it will most likely be at locations that are far from where your father lives. Those are both red flags that your bank should have noticed. It will be fairly easy to prove that the transactions were not legit, but as far as getting your money back, that may take awhile if you are able to recover it at all. In the meantime, I would find a new bank, or at least sign up for some sort of fraud protection at your current bank.

**kocikocev** · 08-17-2011, 11:17 AM

Guess we will know what's next when he goes to the bank branch and is able to check all the transaction. It is very strange because he didn't use the card and suddenly they were a number of transactions for different amounts and maybe different places for some grand and the bank didn't contact him. But it is his mistake because he changed the address of statements to go to a friend's PO and didn't check them until yesterday.

**jrjan1** · 08-17-2011, 12:25 PM

bank accounts

I'm not sure if this is what happened to you, but my husband had an account that he had forgotten about for a couple of years. It only had a couple of hundred dollars in it. One day he remembered about it and went in to close the account, only to find about half of it was gone too. Apparently, the bank decided to assess a $20/month fee to any account that was inactive for 6 months, so his balance was slowly depreciating. He only got statements on activity, so he was never informed of the fees, but couldn't do anything about it.

I had heard that a lot of banks are doing this to generate more money.

I hope this isn't what happened to you.

**kocikocev** · 08-17-2011, 02:07 PM

In the case I am almost sure it is fraud and it is for a couple of grand which are tough to let go.It has to be as the last purchase was for 899.11$ , some decided to go on a summer shopping spree. I am studying Computer Science so security is still a issue no matter what they do ... And I am from Bulgaria , and there were many cards of people from my country stealing money in another country so its a global problem but why so much not a little not to be suspicious or why not everything . Crazy World!

**Michael01** · 08-30-2011, 05:20 AM

Give some details like what all are the accounts dealt with it and other information so that we can give the proper advice.

**naomibatac** · 12-12-2011, 03:19 AM

Help: Debit card fraud

The way you described your situation, it might be a case of credit card theft. Credit card fraud and theft are rampant nowadays, and sometimes it is very difficult for banks and authorities to apprehend the thieves and fraudsters.

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Learn how to prevent credit card theft - Credit Card Theft - Credit Card Theft should be prevented to help the economy.

**pdweaver** · 12-27-2011, 02:52 PM

The bank can possibly give you info on the transaction, but there is a time limit to getting your money back which is usually 30-60 days, the time of your statements. After that you probably will have to track this on your own, the bank will not give you the money back. Sorry

Help: Debit card fraud