Internet scams

[Groggy]

Cripes, is it the banks fault at all? What about the scammer? Why aren't people railing against the police for not going after them and government for not legislating against it or making agreements with other nations to nail these opportunists?

I am not a favourite of the banks, but I am not convinced they are at fault here. Especially since the media are involved, assuming they have provided all the facts is a big leap of faith.

What if it is a joint account? Both parties would have to agree, this is a big problem with marriage bust ups. Was the contract he signed clear and unambiguous and he simply didn't read it? If so, it would be illegal for the bank not to honour it. As far as the bank is concerned, they are legally obliged to provide the money as the form is signed by the client, they break the law until the client legally advises them otherwise.

If people are p**sed off with banks now, imagine if they did things illegally as well as (some say) immorally. Don't forget that the rules the banks operate under are largely due to prior legal actions brought by customers or are legislated by government.

[ozwinner]

Mmmmmmm Bunnings Credit Card Droooooool

Now theres a thought!!

Al

[Chesand]

Wesfarmers own Bunnings
Wesfarmers have just OAMPS - an insurance based company.
What next? The Bunnings credit card may not be too far away

[Cliff Rogers]

...
Wesfarmers have just OAMPS - an insurance based company....

Wesfarmers have been into insurance since before they even became Wesfarmers.

[Cliff Rogers]

Just a little one for the other side....

My wife is in Melbourne for a week doing some shopping. Today Diners Club rang her on her mobile to check 'cos her address is in FNQ & there was a heap of sales going on it in Melbourne.

Just checking, just in case, very apologetic when they found out that it was legit.

How's that for service?

[scooter]

Not quite good enough in my book, Cliff.

Now, if they had rung you to approve her purchases, fair enough...

[Cliff Rogers]

Not quite good enough in my book, Cliff.

Now, if they had rung you to approve her purchases, fair enough...

It is her credit card, she has to pay the bill.

To be fair, it is her first big shopping trip since we went to HK 7 months ago.

[joe greiner]

Just a little one for the other side....

My wife is in Melbourne for a week doing some shopping. Today Diners Club rang her on her mobile to check 'cos her address is in FNQ & there was a heap of sales going on it in Melbourne.

Just checking, just in case, very apologetic when they found out that it was legit.

How's that for service?

I had a similar experience a few years ago with Discover (I think). But without even leaving town. Two purchases of gasoline (petrol?) close together in time. First one was a gallon in portable container because I had run out and friend gave me a lift to station; second was fillup. Firstly, they hastened to assure me they weren't peddling a new card. Most uplifting.

Joe

[silentC]

Was the contract he signed clear and unambiguous and he simply didn't read it? If so, it would be illegal for the bank not to honour it. As far as the bank is concerned, they are legally obliged to provide the money as the form is signed by the client, they break the law until the client legally advises them otherwise.

I don't think anything was signed:

Anyway, this guy subscribed to a free online lottery site. He gave them his bank account details. What happened was this US site would automatically withdraw $12 from his account every month.

[Groggy]

I don't think anything was signed:

Part of my issue with this is the media don't appear to have provided the full facts as usual, just enough to get a bit of drama going. Whay can't they say what the bank must have before it transfers money, exactly what the guy gave to the online site and precisely what is required to stop the transfers in future.

I feel sorry for the guy, but where has he been? Giving bank details over the internet is something to be very cautious about. Did the media even hint that perhaps the user needs to take a little responsibility for this himself?

There really are a lot of unknowns, so many that it is unfair to just point a finger at the bank. I distrust the media more than banks - at least I can take a bank to court because they are regulated to reasonable behaviours.

[Sturdee]

Part of my issue with this is the media don't appear to have provided the full facts as usual, just enough to get a bit of drama going.

My point as well, whilst not knowing the details of this case, I have received similar type of offers (by mail) from a Dutch company inviting me to join their German Tatslotto buying syndicate. Amongst the papers is an IRREVOCABLE authority to be given to my bank authorizing them to take out moneys regularly until cancelled by both of us in writing.

So if I wanted to leave the syndicate I would need the syndicate approval before the authority could be cancelled, else my bank would have to continue to pay the moneys until I closed my account with that bank and went to another bank.

As the authority is addressed to the bank closing and reopening an account with that bank, or transferring to another branch of the same bank, doesn't invalidate that authority and it would have remained in effect.

Didn't do it because I'm no sucker.


Peter.

[Stuart]

I have a low opinion of banks, and an even lower one of the press (not all of them.....but they get tarred with the same brush). I can't stand how they get stories wrong, or one-sided, or misquote, interview a person, and can't even get their job title, or rank correct etc etc.

I refuse point blank to watch that trash on 7 - today tonight or whatever it is. If the story is actually true, and a balanced view, then other more professional news agencies will also be reporting it.

[peter_sm]

I'm not going to let anyone in on my little secret millions I have coming from Nigeria. It is all Miiiiine