Warning WESTPAC!
Mar 11th 2008, 1:28 am
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Sydney beachside
Posts: 3,505
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
Commbank were very good when we had a subscription to an online US porn site 
inexplicably added to our account. Had to fill in a form but they refunded the money within a couple of days with no further questions.
I always tell them whenever we travel overseas so they don't stop any unusual transactions. They even called me to query a transaction on my card that had originated at KL airport (Malaysia being a big problem country for card fraud). This was me buying a book there so it was quite legitimate - but it was good that they checked.
I've lost count of the number of transactions on card statements that I've been convinced are mistakes. In each case, they're not - when I double-check it's always some item that I've bought online that I'd forgotten about.
inexplicably added to our account. Had to fill in a form but they refunded the money within a couple of days with no further questions. I always tell them whenever we travel overseas so they don't stop any unusual transactions. They even called me to query a transaction on my card that had originated at KL airport (Malaysia being a big problem country for card fraud). This was me buying a book there so it was quite legitimate - but it was good that they checked.
I've lost count of the number of transactions on card statements that I've been convinced are mistakes. In each case, they're not - when I double-check it's always some item that I've bought online that I'd forgotten about.
Mar 11th 2008, 1:37 am
#17
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Noosa Heads
Posts: 3,507
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
Commbank were very good when we had a subscription to an online US porn site inexplicably added to our account. Had to fill in a form but they refunded the money within a couple of days with no further questions.
I always tell them whenever we travel overseas so they don't stop any unusual transactions. They even called me to query a transaction on my card that had originated at KL airport (Malaysia being a big problem country for card fraud). This was me buying a book there so it was quite legitimate - but it was good that they checked.
I've lost count of the number of transactions on card statements that I've been convinced are mistakes. In each case, they're not - when I double-check it's always some item that I've bought online that I'd forgotten about.
inexplicably added to our account. Had to fill in a form but they refunded the money within a couple of days with no further questions. I always tell them whenever we travel overseas so they don't stop any unusual transactions. They even called me to query a transaction on my card that had originated at KL airport (Malaysia being a big problem country for card fraud). This was me buying a book there so it was quite legitimate - but it was good that they checked.
I've lost count of the number of transactions on card statements that I've been convinced are mistakes. In each case, they're not - when I double-check it's always some item that I've bought online that I'd forgotten about.
We've now triple checked everything - can't believe I didn't do it before! We hardly ever use this particular card - in fact the only reason I got it was so i could book a holiday with it to hamilton island 6 mths ago - since then we haven't used it which is why I was alerted to a withdrawal on it at the bottom of my statement (that and the fact they'd charge me a currency conversion rate for each item)! I think we put trust in these companies so much, like I say, i never check anything! I always have faith that the transactions on my statements are correct - lesson learnt!
Mar 11th 2008, 1:39 am
#18
Frequent Flyer Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 10,994
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
I notice a lot of very odd looking transactions which I don't recognise.....but a quick google often shows them up as being the licensee of a bar or restaurant I've been too.....it's pretty confusing though as the desccription bares no resembelance to the name of the outlet.
Mar 11th 2008, 2:19 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 1,629
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
I never check anything! Very niaeve (however you spell it)! We've emptied most of the money out of our everyday account (just taken it out in cash until we get sorted with another bank. Where are citibank branches? Can't seem to find anything apart from telephone numbers?
Try this link for Citibank locations.
http://www.citibank.com.au/AUGCB/APP...d=Home,cu,home
Trish
Mar 11th 2008, 2:20 am
#20
no longer searching
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,030
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
we had no end of problems with Westpac (did post a rant about it all), I constantly followed up and was getting nowhere. That was until I complained in writing (a PO Box address in central Syd), and what had been going on for months were mainly sorted out within a few days. The theiving bar stewards in our case were Westpac themselves.
Can dig out a number if you want to contact someone directly at their customer service.
Can dig out a number if you want to contact someone directly at their customer service.
Mar 11th 2008, 2:23 am
#21
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Noosa Heads
Posts: 3,507
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
we had no end of problems with Westpac (did post a rant about it all), I constantly followed up and was getting nowhere. That was until I complained in writing (a PO Box address in central Syd), and what had been going on for months were mainly sorted out within a few days. The theiving bar stewards in our case were Westpac themselves.
Can dig out a number if you want to contact someone directly at their customer service.
Can dig out a number if you want to contact someone directly at their customer service.
Mar 11th 2008, 2:37 am
#22
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Sydney beachside
Posts: 3,505
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
I notice a lot of very odd looking transactions which I don't recognise.....but a quick google often shows them up as being the licensee of a bar or restaurant I've been too.....it's pretty confusing though as the desccription bares no resembelance to the name of the outlet.
One in particular took a lot of tracking down on google before I realised it was for an RSA course I'd booked online, for my kids. The company name meant nothing to me and their location was in Sutherland - where I hadn't been for donkey's years. It wasn't till I went to this company's website that I realised who they were and what they were charging me for.
Wasted hours of my time, that did!
Mar 11th 2008, 2:40 am
#23
has lost The Game
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
Posts: 8,735
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
Yes, I can, but whenever I recommend Citibank no-one seems to be interested so I've given up bothering. No charges for anything, can use any ATM in Australia, free online banking etc etc etc.
www.citibank.com.au
Buzzy
www.citibank.com.au
Buzzy
Hi Buzzy,
How are you getting on with Citibank? I've been threatening to move to them from HSBC for weeks now, but just haven't found the time to do it, and I only have one direct debit to change, so it shouldn't be too hard!
So I am interested. And I fully understand what you say about nobody else being so. For some reason most posters here seem to be happy to pay ridiculous fees just to be with an 'Australian' bank...
S
Mar 11th 2008, 7:51 am
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 924
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
I got bored with adding my bit to "Westpac are crap" threads after a while 
but they truly are!
but they truly are!
Mar 11th 2008, 8:05 am
#25
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Noosa Heads
Posts: 3,507
Mar 11th 2008, 9:04 am
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Dorset, UK
Posts: 178
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
Hi Glittababe!
Have only just read your Thread and want to assure you that this is not just happening because you are with WESTPAC.
I have had the exact same thing happen to me with ABBEY in the UK in January. I monitor my bank account payments in and out online - on a daily basis. On Saturday 26th Jan, I happened to check my account and thought sh*t - where the heck has my money gone!
I looked further down my online bank statement to find some thieving sh*ts have somehow used my bank details and bought Easy Jet air tickets! I was absolutely fuming (understatement). I phoned ABBEY Fraud - they said I must phone Visa Disputes. Phoned Visa Disputes - they are closed on a Saturday! Phone Abbey back and told them to freeze my bank account with immediate effect.
My Fiance (Dave) then got on the phone to Easy Jet to find out what was going on - as, we to have never flown with Easy Jet and wondered what the heck was going on. We got through to this Polish girl - not much help - then demanded to speak to a Manager. We were put through to the Duty Manager, also Polish. He confirmed that there had been 2 Air tickets purchased with my Abbey bank card, he told us that it was an "Internet" transaction. He told us due to the "Data Protection Act" that he was not allowed to divulge any information about the passengers or the person who had used my Card details. All he could tell us that the Main passenger who booked was a Female and the other passenger was a Male.
I told him that this is a Fraudulent transaction and that I want the tickets cancelled immediately and that I feel these 2 should be arrested for Fraud when they "Check in" for their Flight! Well No - they can't do this!
I then phoned the Devon & Cornwall Police and reported the Card Fraud, I got a Log number. I told them that we have confirmed this transaction with Easy jet and that someone has fraudulently used my bank card details. Nothing else was done.
I have fought tooth and nail to get my money back from Abbey Visa Disputes! I even threatened them with the "Financial Ombudsman". I have only just got my money back 2 days ago!
I have never ever used Easy jet - and I am absolutely baffled how someone got my card details (front and back including 3 digit security code). Dave & I do not have a joint bank account, he doesnt even know my PIN number. No one else has access to my bank account. My bank card is always with me, in my purse. So how the heck did someone do this!
This is rather worrying to think that this has happened to you in Aus - and also with Easy Jet! It absolutely PEEEE's me off to think that when we report this - these Fraudsters are not even having their flights cancelled and being arrested at "Check-in" for this fraud! That is why it continues - because they are getting away with it.
What to do eh!
But just wanted to let you know it's not WESTPAC - it's also happened to me in the UK with ABBEY. I am now paranoid when using my bank card anywhere and will not hand it over to anyone when using the "chip & pin" machines. I put my card in myself - or make them stretch the machine to where I'm standing.
This world eh!
regards
Maz
Have only just read your Thread and want to assure you that this is not just happening because you are with WESTPAC.
I have had the exact same thing happen to me with ABBEY in the UK in January. I monitor my bank account payments in and out online - on a daily basis. On Saturday 26th Jan, I happened to check my account and thought sh*t - where the heck has my money gone!
I looked further down my online bank statement to find some thieving sh*ts have somehow used my bank details and bought Easy Jet air tickets! I was absolutely fuming (understatement). I phoned ABBEY Fraud - they said I must phone Visa Disputes. Phoned Visa Disputes - they are closed on a Saturday! Phone Abbey back and told them to freeze my bank account with immediate effect.
My Fiance (Dave) then got on the phone to Easy Jet to find out what was going on - as, we to have never flown with Easy Jet and wondered what the heck was going on. We got through to this Polish girl - not much help - then demanded to speak to a Manager. We were put through to the Duty Manager, also Polish. He confirmed that there had been 2 Air tickets purchased with my Abbey bank card, he told us that it was an "Internet" transaction. He told us due to the "Data Protection Act" that he was not allowed to divulge any information about the passengers or the person who had used my Card details. All he could tell us that the Main passenger who booked was a Female and the other passenger was a Male.
I told him that this is a Fraudulent transaction and that I want the tickets cancelled immediately and that I feel these 2 should be arrested for Fraud when they "Check in" for their Flight! Well No - they can't do this!
I then phoned the Devon & Cornwall Police and reported the Card Fraud, I got a Log number. I told them that we have confirmed this transaction with Easy jet and that someone has fraudulently used my bank card details. Nothing else was done.
I have fought tooth and nail to get my money back from Abbey Visa Disputes! I even threatened them with the "Financial Ombudsman". I have only just got my money back 2 days ago!
I have never ever used Easy jet - and I am absolutely baffled how someone got my card details (front and back including 3 digit security code). Dave & I do not have a joint bank account, he doesnt even know my PIN number. No one else has access to my bank account. My bank card is always with me, in my purse. So how the heck did someone do this!
This is rather worrying to think that this has happened to you in Aus - and also with Easy Jet! It absolutely PEEEE's me off to think that when we report this - these Fraudsters are not even having their flights cancelled and being arrested at "Check-in" for this fraud! That is why it continues - because they are getting away with it.
What to do eh!
But just wanted to let you know it's not WESTPAC - it's also happened to me in the UK with ABBEY. I am now paranoid when using my bank card anywhere and will not hand it over to anyone when using the "chip & pin" machines. I put my card in myself - or make them stretch the machine to where I'm standing.
This world eh!
regards
Maz
A warning re Westpac - we've been with them for 2 yrs - no real probs (niggly things like they've forgotten to order cards or sent stuff to old address in brisbane etc). Today I'm going through the accounts and notice 3 payments for airline tickets purchased from Luton, UK (easyjet) they'd even charged me a currency conversion rate - 3 seperate transactions one after the other each for $68.
Call them immediately - get the third degree, accused of not being who I say I am - get put through to disputes, extremely arrogant lady tells me I have to 'prove' I didn't purchase easyjet airline tickets from the UK - duhhh we haven't been to the UK for over 2 yrs! I get arsey - shes gets a customer services manager who finally says ' ah yes your the victim of fraud - we'll start an investigation' - I ask when my money will be refunded and she states that the case will take 21 days. If they can find whose taken my money - it will be refunded! I tell them to cancel my card immediately - however just hours afterwards 2 more purchases are made which i now have to process 2 further claims against Westpac.
So, check your statements - these purchases were for small amounts, but they have built up. We've now gone through the last 6 mths statements and we've had at least 9 unlawful transactions - that I, nor my hubby picked up on. Each of these we have to dispute seperately.
Because of how 'unhelpful' Westpac have been, we've decided to close our accounts with them immediately. I asked the girl if I'd been mugged on the street and $180 taken from my purse, whether she'd be more sympathetic? Her response - 'well it was only for small amounts'! Ummmm yes it was, this time - but next time it could be $1000! :curse:
Their website states, we're fully protected and they use the Falcon alarm system to pick up on suspicious transactions - they missed 9 on my account!
The inconvenience of this is huge; wages, family allowence, medicare etc We have to sort out everything again with another bank!
If this has happened to us, it may well have happened to you, and trust me, Westpac really don't care.
Call them immediately - get the third degree, accused of not being who I say I am - get put through to disputes, extremely arrogant lady tells me I have to 'prove' I didn't purchase easyjet airline tickets from the UK - duhhh we haven't been to the UK for over 2 yrs! I get arsey - shes gets a customer services manager who finally says ' ah yes your the victim of fraud - we'll start an investigation' - I ask when my money will be refunded and she states that the case will take 21 days. If they can find whose taken my money - it will be refunded! I tell them to cancel my card immediately - however just hours afterwards 2 more purchases are made which i now have to process 2 further claims against Westpac.
So, check your statements - these purchases were for small amounts, but they have built up. We've now gone through the last 6 mths statements and we've had at least 9 unlawful transactions - that I, nor my hubby picked up on. Each of these we have to dispute seperately.
Because of how 'unhelpful' Westpac have been, we've decided to close our accounts with them immediately. I asked the girl if I'd been mugged on the street and $180 taken from my purse, whether she'd be more sympathetic? Her response - 'well it was only for small amounts'! Ummmm yes it was, this time - but next time it could be $1000! :curse:
Their website states, we're fully protected and they use the Falcon alarm system to pick up on suspicious transactions - they missed 9 on my account!
The inconvenience of this is huge; wages, family allowence, medicare etc We have to sort out everything again with another bank!
If this has happened to us, it may well have happened to you, and trust me, Westpac really don't care.
Last edited by Devonfamily; Mar 11th 2008 at 9:06 am.
Mar 11th 2008, 10:02 am
#27
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
This is really odd G'babe. My ex had exactly the same happen to him, except that they had to guess the expiry (they don't have this apparently) and because they got it wrong, fraud alert was notified....
It was also for EasyJet tickets... and it was Westpac.
It was also for EasyJet tickets... and it was Westpac.
Mar 11th 2008, 10:06 am
#28
DownUnder
Joined: May 2003
Location: Thorneside, Brissy
Posts: 1,709
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
It happens with all banks. A friend at work lost 20K out of his CBA mortgage draw down account ( 5K a day ). He only noticed because he was applying for a investment mortgage and had to prove his balance. God knows how long it would have gone on otherwise.
He got his money back after a week or two of investigation. Trace to Mule people who answers the emails to help transfer cash overseas for 1%.
He got his money back after a week or two of investigation. Trace to Mule people who answers the emails to help transfer cash overseas for 1%.
Mar 11th 2008, 10:13 am
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 93
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
Exactly why I check every statement and check my online banking every couple of days to ensure no suspect transactions slip through. I also have credit card protection insurance incase of events like these, however rare they may be.
I was with the Commonwealth but found them to be unprofessional and limited on opening hours around my working hours.
ANZ ticked all the boxes and have been awesome. I hold numerous savings accounts, trading account, personal credit card, business credit card etc with them and very happy. Infact everything except the mortgage!
Banks do tend to be better at certain things and have yet to find one that is competitive and successful at all services
I was with the Commonwealth but found them to be unprofessional and limited on opening hours around my working hours.
ANZ ticked all the boxes and have been awesome. I hold numerous savings accounts, trading account, personal credit card, business credit card etc with them and very happy. Infact everything except the mortgage!
Banks do tend to be better at certain things and have yet to find one that is competitive and successful at all services
Mar 11th 2008, 10:15 am
#30
visa holder
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Thornlands, Bayside
Posts: 1,964
Re: Warning WESTPAC!
Hope you get your money back soon GB. Mark had money taken off his business account with Abbey, but they refunded it quite quickly. Im paranoid about someone getting our details so check bank and credit card accounts almost daily. These thieving scumbags normally only do quite small transactions as they rely on people not checking and not noticing small amounts.
Definately complain to an ombudsman or whatever they have in Oz.
Joexx
ps we were thinking about opening a westpac account will have to find another now.
Definately complain to an ombudsman or whatever they have in Oz.
Joexx
ps we were thinking about opening a westpac account will have to find another now.