WHATSAPP WARNING TO GARDEN FRIENDS MEMBERS

I use whatsapp and no problems so far. Mind you if someone wants my overdraft they are welcome.

I mentioned this type of scam on another group & it turned out that 2 people on there knew people who'd been caught by this, one had got their money back but the other hadn't as her bank said she hadn't heeded the security warnings & followed the correct procedures! The scams all seem to be asking for around £2000 pounds & one who had paid out said they were convinced it was their daughter as the tone of the messages & chatty wit was exactly the same as her, the scammers apparently track your messages & pick up information on family names etc. so be very wary.

Just an update, of the £2,000 taken from me by the scammers, the 2nd transaction for some reason didn't go through and was put back into my bank.  The matter is still ongoing but there have been some interesting developments.  I never knew there was a connection between whatsapp, facebook and marketplace but there is.  My daughter set up my facebook account 5 years or so ago and didn't heed the privacy warnings.  I had blocked the 2nd scammer on whatsapp because I could see that the message started off exactly the same as the first one "Mum," so I blocked the number straight away but knew it would still be there should the Police need it.   Only 10 days ago did I become aware how the 3 sites were linked so I had a look round the facebook set-up and was perplexed to see a blocked number from someone by the name of Ahmed Ibrahim so I now know the name of the 2nd scammer and his telephone number because that is the only number I have ever blocked on whatsapp and, by association it blocked on facebook too.  The Police are still investigating but said it would be difficult to prove.  Meantime, the organisation that handled the scammers' accounts where my money was paid to have until 18/10 to respond in some way and then the Financial Ombudsman will take over.   The Bank have as good as blamed me which I was annoyed about because genuinely I thought I was chatting to my son and had no reason at all to doubt it because they passed themselves off as my son and it was all very plausible because I do have to help him out from time to time as my current account proves.  I have lodged a formal complaint with my Bank Santander who really couldn't care less.   I was horrified to see on TV last night 10/10 that Revolut (who held the scammer's accounts) were advertising their service on prime time TV encouraging people to do their transactions via them by download their App.  Be wary folks - they are not easy to contact by phone and everything has to be done via their App - be aware that it is Revolut you will be dealing with and not Modulr which is a sister Company.  Good at passing one from pillar to post.   Meantime, I have to wait to see if I will be repaid the remaining £1,000.  Santander I believe are not so good at paying out.

More worrying Sue is that the big banks are now encouraging people to move to smaller banks, for whatever reason. I think this will encourage more digital payment companies like Modulr/Revolut to set up. It is quite worrying and I often wonder how the vey elderly are coping with this digital age. I am surprised that Age UK are not shouting up about it. It is not easy for the elderly who don't use smart phones or computers to conduct their business on a day to day basis.

That's great news libralady! I've seen quite a few warnings about this scam since you mentioned it, glad that you got your money back.