Bank scam confusion

I AM one of the statistics that had my life savings taken fraudulently in a complicated scam that spanned two days.

I do not do internet banking or give out my details ever. Immediately after the scam I was able to write a word- for- word account of the conversations between the fraudsters and myself. This was integral in the bank reimbursing my accounts within ten days of the scam.

Then, three weeks ago, a caller purporting to be from Barclays’ fraud team rang me. Wary, I put the phone down. But they called back later and asked whether I had been using the internet at a particular time of day and if I had paid £47.99 for an item.

I had been online at that time, but had bought nothing. I was told they would immediately block my card and send me a new one.

My immediate reaction was to ring the authorised Barclays Bank number to check if the call was genuine. As I do not have a Barclays pass code, I was passed from one person to another, being asked my date of birth and mother’s maiden name five times before — 40 minutes later — getting someone to believe me. Apparently the first call was genuine and really from Barclays.

Some banks advertise the fact that they will never phone you and ask you to reveal personal details, so what are we supposed to believe?

I am 80 years of age and am now constantly telephoned by fraudsters, using all kinds of scams, on my land line and my mobile, whose number I never give out, as it is used only for keeping in touch with family.

J.G, north Devon THE only people responsible for allowing fraudsters to access their bank account (Mail) are themselves. A lot of these supposed frauds are by people who willingly give away their financial details. Why should banks be penalised for that?

If banks do refund all the money from such cases, it will open a floodgate of bogus claims in the future.

ann hoGarTh, oldham, lancs. InSTEAD of responding to possibly fraudulent texts or calls on your phone, go into your branch and speak to someone directly.

Er… which branch would that be now most of them are closed?

linDsay Perkins, Castle Donington, leics.