Credit Card Fraud, in Action

“Hello Mr Welch. Visa Card Services here.” That was the line with which my nightmare started one Sunday morning, hungover, sitting on the sofa trying to piece together the night before. The landline rang. I was surprised because I’d only given the number to about three people.

The person on the other end of the phone — Mark — told me there had been a number of fraudulent transactions on my bank account since midnight, adding up to about £1,100. I’d never heard of Visa Card Services before, but then I’d never had money stolen like this before. Maybe this is what happens?

And so begins Andy Welch’s story about how some fraudsters convinced him to mail his bank card to them and also give them his pin number. Oh, the things you willingly hand over when you’re convinced you’re talking to a trusted authority on the phone.

Photo: Don Hankins

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