Bank Details

motherfunker

I am just wondering about the procedure for arranging a sale through this website. I was trying to sell a pistol a few weeks ago, I had some interest from one guy who seemed genuine, it even got to the stage where we were deciding how to exchange money, I have no paypal account so the only way I could think was for me to give him my bank details and he lodge the money into my account. We agreed on this, I pm'd him my details and that was the last I ever heard from him. Was this totally foolish of me or is this how it is usually done?

Stercus Accidit

Did you give him more than a name, sort code and account number?

Thats all he needed, and cant access your funds with that info, only deposit.

Sherifu

Usually it'd be send your details, bank account/address. They transfer the money. You see it in your account. You post[preferably with proof of postage].

MacAonghusa

motherfunker wrote: »

I have no paypal account so the only way I could think was for me to give him my bank details

Even giving your bank details can be somewhat risky. there are at least two other options: 1. OPEN a paypal account 2. he could send you a postal order by mail p.s. keep a close eye on your account over the next few months just in case.

motherfunker

All I sent was name, account no, and sort code.
Do you need a credit card to open a paypal account, if I had a credit card I wouldent be able to fit into my house with the amount of aeg's etc I would buy, my wife would leave me and the bank would ultimately take my house full of guns off me.
I just use the 3v cards, they are a lot safer for people like me.

MacAonghusa

motherfunker wrote: »

All I sent was name, account no, and sort code.

it's enough for someone to cause you serious problems. did you hear what happened to Jeremy Clarkson when he publicised his bank details?

motherfunker wrote: »

Do you need a credit card to open a paypal account,

No. though it's very handy to have one. the 3v thingy is prob ok.

ED E

motherfunker wrote: »

All I sent was name, account no, and sort code.
Do you need a credit card to open a paypal account, if I had a credit card I wouldent be able to fit into my house with the amount of aeg's etc I would buy, my wife would leave me and the bank would ultimately take my house full of guns off me.
I just use the 3v cards, they are a lot safer for people like me.

Paypal now take 3V cards so I advise you set up an account with them.

CrazyRabbit

As far as I know, Paypal accounts now only need a bank account. No credit card or 3V required. I'll check tomorrow when I'm not exhausted.

Sherifu

Looks like they have finally added bank accounts as a funding source for Ireland.

Choose to pay using your credit card, debit card, or bank account.

Link.

Sevenie

In all seriousness mate I'd think about closing my bank account and open a new one. I would not like to know someone has those details you gave him.

So unless its a lot of trouble to close your account (because of Direct Debit etc.) Do it. Otherwise keep a very close eye on your account.

Crave

Why close it, what can be done with your name acc number and sort code?

I would ring your bank and ask if what you did put your account at risk, prob didn't though.

kevteljeur

Crave wrote: »

Why close it, what can be done with your name acc number and sort code?

I would ring your bank and ask if what you did put your account at risk, prob didn't though.

Not that I want to scare anyone, but you'd be amazed at how insecure your banking information is. I hand out mine to people I do business with (I encourage EFT for payments for work done) but I rely on their professionalism and discretion. With all due respect to anyone who works in banking, there are some relaxed clerks who don't challenge identity anything close to rigourously, it's not hard to dig out enough info on someone to get at their account.

@motherfunker: Talk to your bank, and see if you can have a lock or watch put on your account; if you get someone good, they'll help you with it. It's far from the end of the world, but definitely keep an eye on it (it might be too much work to change accounts). The odds are you were probably dealing with a tyre-kicker who changed their mind and have no further interest in your details.

iceage

@motherfunker: Talk to your bank, and see if you can have a lock or watch put on your account; if you get someone good, they'll help you with it. It's far from the end of the world, but definitely keep an eye on it (it might be too much work to change accounts). The odds are you were probably dealing with a tyre-kicker who changed their mind and have no further interest in your details.[/QUOTE]

I agree, it would do harm to mention it to your bank. and they could monitor you account for a month or so.

CrazyRabbit

I know that Bank of Ireland can 'flag' your account. It means that they will call you if anyone (even yourself) tries to withdraw any significant ammount of cash from your account.

Not sure about other banks though.

zero19

These days going to a bank without proof of address and ID and expecting to come out with your life savings is just silly, it just won't happen...

Sherifu

MacAonghusa wrote: »

it's enough for someone to cause you serious problems. did you hear what happened to Jeremy Clarkson when he publicised his bank details?

I thought the worst that happened to him was someone signed him up for donating to charity? I think it isn't as bad as is being made out here. Check with your bank to be sure.

kevteljeur

zero19 wrote: »

These days going to a bank without proof of address and ID and expecting to come out with your life savings is just silly, it just won't happen...

It's a fair point, but I've been shocked in the past at how easy it has been for me to take large sums of money from my own accounts without being seriously challenged; in fact, I've generally been challenged for supplying too much information, believe it or not.

My point was, to be cautious about your bank details, but not to be over-worried. The details have to find their way to someone willing to make the effort and take the risk to commit a serious crime, and in that process you already have a big obstacle. If you really wanted to do this for a living, raid residential bins and read up on social engineering strategies; that's a lot of Airsoft kit paid for

CrazyRabbit

zero19 wrote: »

These days going to a bank without proof of address and ID and expecting to come out with your life savings is just silly, it just won't happen...

You'd be surprised. I lived with someone that worked for one of the major banks. She told me many a story about newbie bank clerks screwing up big time that cost the customers lots of money. The bank always refunded the customer for their mistake though, so it's not all bad news.

zero19

Good points, well the only comfort i have is i'm always broke lol

kevteljeur

zero19 wrote: »

Good points, well the only comfort i have is i'm always broke lol

As it happens, and this is an entirely redundant statement, I keep two personal bank accounts; one with a card for ATM and Laser, and another for bigger money, with no external access. It's secure, and I need to get out a lot more.

The doctor says that would be good for me

zero19

Funnily enough when i was making a lot of cash i had another account much like yours lol

Mark_Sc

CrazyRabbit wrote: »

You'd be surprised. I lived with someone that worked for one of the major banks. She told me many a story about newbie bank clerks screwing up big time that cost the customers lots of money. The bank always refunded the customer for their mistake though, so it's not all bad news.

A few years ago some bank screwed up big time and gave some guy €400,000 instead of Spanish psetas... and he was entitled to keep it because of one disclaimer in the banks policy saying that they weren't responseble for any mistakes made on their part... or something along those lines...

zero19

Man that'd be nice...thats a free house like

mcgovern

Mark_Sc wrote: »

A few years ago some bank screwed up big time and gave some guy €400,000 instead of Spanish psetas... and he was entitled to keep it because of one disclaimer in the banks policy saying that they weren't responseble for any mistakes made on their part... or something along those lines...

It was around the time of the introduction of the euro, and they gave him the wrong exchange rate.
Not sure how it ended up, but he moved to Spain and the bank was trying to get him extradited and/or repay them.