Payments from overseas, can I be ripped off?

top-click · May 19, 2009

Justa quicky, had an enquiry from a business based in India - they have asked us for bank details so they can deposit an up front payment.

With all the scams around I thought I'd ask whether you had any view on whether I could be scammed by supplying these details>??

Tjhanks
Rob

GRDCredit · May 19, 2009

Could be a scam (phishing)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing

Tread very carefully. Is it usual for you to work for an India company. What is the background to the job? Have they come from out of the blue or have you been in discussions for a while?

Be careful!

My favourite example is

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/07/personalfinancenews.scamsandfraud

top-click · May 19, 2009

Hi GRD, he cam ethrough some advertising we did.

It's not unusual for us to work for overseas companies, but the recent spate of scams has me worried.

What could I lose simply by sending banking details?? Can I be scammed simply by sending this data??

Kind regards
Rob

GRDCredit · May 19, 2009

I am no expert so would suggest doing some research on google.

However, what scammers are after is as much personal information as they can together with bank details to enable them to withdraw money from your account - i.e. in the Jeremy Clarkson link above.

Mattonella Tile Studio · May 19, 2009

The Jeremy Clarkson link only tells half the story.

What would have happened is Mr Clarkson would have gone to his bank, armed with the direct debit indemnity guarantee, and the bank would have put the £500 back into his account straight away.

ServWise · May 19, 2009

Yeah wouldn't expect any problems from just sending your bank details, companies regularly publish bank details for BACS payments (We have it on all our Invoices and our website for bank payments)

Bank name, Account number, Sort Code or IBAN number are fine.

Obviously don't provide any services until the money is guaranteed in you account (and can't be canceled, so talk to your bank about that).

In the end use common sense, Bank details on there own are no threat, in combination with lots of other personal details could possibly be used as part of a phishing scam but they would need a lot more then just bank details.

top-click · May 20, 2009

Thanks for that,

Regards
Rob

KateCB · May 20, 2009

Talk to your bank - open another account for receiving payment which when they arrive are transferred BY YOU or YOUR BANK to your current account - if the peoplesending moneis then try an withfraw from it, it will be empty........

We have a receiving account for foriegn BACS/Interntaional payment and so far,it has worked well! (HSBC)

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Payments from overseas, can I be ripped off?

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