A weird fake phone call

Apricot

Apricot

Well-Known Forumite
Today I received a telephone call on my mobile, it was private or unknown, they said they were from my bank and they were querying an amount of several thousand pounds that was about to go into my bank account from tax credits.
I said I wasn't expecting the money and it must be a mistake. The caller said that I should discuss it with HMRC if the money went through. I didn't give them any bank details and they didn't ask for any.
Afterwards, I thought how weird it was that they were querying money going in, rather than out, and also that they didn't seem sure that the money would go in. So I called my bank and they told me that they didn't make the call.
It must be some kind of scam, but what are they hoping to achieve? The only information they got from me was the name of my bank and how much tax credits I normally receive.
 
Floss

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
Apricot said:
Today I received a telephone call on my mobile, it was private or unknown, they said they were from my bank and they were querying an amount of several thousand pounds that was about to go into my bank account from tax credits.
I said I wasn't expecting the money and it must be a mistake. The caller said that I should discuss it with HMRC if the money went through. I didn't give them any bank details and they didn't ask for any.
Afterwards, I thought how weird it was that they were querying money going in, rather than out, and also that they didn't seem sure that the money would go in. So I called my bank and they told me that they didn't make the call.
It must be some kind of scam, but what are they hoping to achieve? The only information they got from me was the name of my bank and how much tax credits I normally receive.
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Even that's too much information for my liking
 
wmrcomputers

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Maybe there could be a new breed of scams that attempt build data from a person over several months. A little bit of information here, a little bit there. That sort of thing.
Just a thought
 
Apricot

Apricot

Well-Known Forumite
I did say to the caller that as tax credits claims can only be back-dated 3 months, it's hard to see how anyone could be owed £5000 (which is the amount they quoted), and since mine will be stopping soon anyway due to a change in circumstances, it would have to be a mistake. They may have decided at that point that I wasn't as scam-able as someone who doesn't know about the 3-month rule and who is expecting a large payment.

At any rate, it has made me nervous because the caller knew my name and mobile number, and I think they did know my bank name as well, although I'm not sure.
 
Apricot

Apricot

Well-Known Forumite
littleme said:
Probably a nosey/jealous or disgruntled friend/relative/acquaintance or co-worker trying to fond out how much you get....
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I do actually know someone evil and petty enough to do that. But I didn't recognise the voice, so they would have to find an accomplice as evil and petty as themselves to make the phone call, which is unlikely.
 
littleme

littleme

250,000th poster!
Apricot said:
I do actually know someone evil and petty enough to do that. But I didn't recognise the voice, so they would have to find an accomplice as evil and petty as themselves to make the phone call, which is unlikely.
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Seems weird enough though....I hate those real hmrc calls that start with them asking my name, address, birthdate & NI number....I just refuse to answer & tell them to send it to me in writing...

Also, I don't think banks ever phone customers any more, they're more likely to put a block on your card & wait fir you to contact them.....its happened several times to me with both Halifax & Co-op banks...
 
wmrcomputers

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
One of my friends plays awkward even when he expects the bank to call him back. Despite knowing he's due the phone call, he insists that he needs to know they are definitely from the bank and asks them security questions before he'll proceed. It can be quite entertaining to listen to.
 
Laurie61

Laurie61

Well-Known Forumite
Apricot said:
Today I received a telephone call on my mobile, it was private or unknown, they said they were from my bank and they were querying an amount of several thousand pounds that was about to go into my bank account from tax credits.
I said I wasn't expecting the money and it must be a mistake. The caller said that I should discuss it with HMRC if the money went through. I didn't give them any bank details and they didn't ask for any.
Afterwards, I thought how weird it was that they were querying money going in, rather than out, and also that they didn't seem sure that the money would go in. So I called my bank and they told me that they didn't make the call.
It must be some kind of scam, but what are they hoping to achieve? The only information they got from me was the name of my bank and how much tax credits I normally receive.
Click to expand...

I does sound like a fishing call, first find out if an individual is about to receive large-ish sum and then suggest they invest it in a special interest account rather than leave it in a cheque account ?
I have seen banks do this, although not over the phone, which could be where the idea has come from ?
 
staffordjas

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
I once answered some survey questions in Birmingham many years ago. All I gave them was my name, which bank I used and signed to say I'd done the survey....
Next thing I know there's money taken out of my account. Going straight to the bank , they got it back for me and stopped any future paynents.
They didn't need any account details, addresses etc to be able to get at my money!
 
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