How safe is a bank transfer?
Discussion
Potentially strange question here and excuse my naivety but is it possible for somebody to do anything with the details that come through with a bank transfer? A bit of background...
We had a knock at the door earlier from a lad selling household stuff, etc... I never buy anything at the door but I gave him a chance as he came across well. He said he was part of an ex prisoner reform type scheme and was trying to prove his worth and desire to change. I didn't want to buy anything and didn't have any cash on me but he said they could also accept cheques and bank transfers. I said to him that I didn't want anything but if he left his account details I would look to chuck £10 his way via a bank transfer as I think everyone deserves a second chance. He was happy with that, left his details and that was that.
Now, ignoring for a moment whether others think he should get any money or not, my question is whether there is any way he could do anything with my details if I do transfer any money? Presumably alongside my name he'll also find out my account number and sort code? I guess that in itself is not much use to anyone, but it wouldn't be completely impossible for him to work out my address too as there can only be so many doors he's knocked on.
I couldn't care less about the £10, if he's lying about his intentions then it serves me right for being gullible. I'm happy to do the transfer if there's a chance that it might help someone more in need of it, but I don't want to take any chances in case it could end up costing me a lot more than £10.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Cheers!
We had a knock at the door earlier from a lad selling household stuff, etc... I never buy anything at the door but I gave him a chance as he came across well. He said he was part of an ex prisoner reform type scheme and was trying to prove his worth and desire to change. I didn't want to buy anything and didn't have any cash on me but he said they could also accept cheques and bank transfers. I said to him that I didn't want anything but if he left his account details I would look to chuck £10 his way via a bank transfer as I think everyone deserves a second chance. He was happy with that, left his details and that was that.
Now, ignoring for a moment whether others think he should get any money or not, my question is whether there is any way he could do anything with my details if I do transfer any money? Presumably alongside my name he'll also find out my account number and sort code? I guess that in itself is not much use to anyone, but it wouldn't be completely impossible for him to work out my address too as there can only be so many doors he's knocked on.
I couldn't care less about the £10, if he's lying about his intentions then it serves me right for being gullible. I'm happy to do the transfer if there's a chance that it might help someone more in need of it, but I don't want to take any chances in case it could end up costing me a lot more than £10.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Cheers!
I don’t think there is any risk from donating the money.
It will be bs though.
https://www.david-davies.org.uk/news/warning-over-...
It will be bs though.
https://www.david-davies.org.uk/news/warning-over-...
We used to have these years ago. A transit van would drop them off nearby then they'd go round the houses with trays selling dusters etc. Obviously a bit 'traveller' but essentially harmless.
If you're worried by bank transfer (how beggars have changed!) there's always cash of course.
If you're worried by bank transfer (how beggars have changed!) there's always cash of course.
You've had a visit from a Nottingham Knocker. Google it. The prisoner/rehab thing is all lies, and the goods they sell are usually massively overpriced tat, but their main aim is to identify gullible households, to which they will return aiming to extort other types of scam. You've shown an interest so they may return (not necessarily the same person, they usually work for a form of gangmaster). Just be on your guard.
Thanks for all of the replies. Firstly it's good to know that it's unlikely anyone would be able to do much with the details, I assumed that was probably the case but you never know.
Regarding the legitimacy, it's something I have heard of before but not experienced myself. The guy came across very well and was polite, although given he's aiming to sell something that's probably not a surprise. I will admit I was starting to question his story when he said he was from the North East (about 250 miles from here!) which is a hell of a long way to come to sell some dusters on a Wednesday night.
I suspect I may well have bought into his story, although I can't help but feel he'd earned his £10 carrying a sports bag around a pretty dull bit of suburbia in the pouring rain no doubt having 90% of people slam the door on him. I'll sleep on it and see how I'm feeling in the morning.
Thanks again for the replies.
Regarding the legitimacy, it's something I have heard of before but not experienced myself. The guy came across very well and was polite, although given he's aiming to sell something that's probably not a surprise. I will admit I was starting to question his story when he said he was from the North East (about 250 miles from here!) which is a hell of a long way to come to sell some dusters on a Wednesday night.
I suspect I may well have bought into his story, although I can't help but feel he'd earned his £10 carrying a sports bag around a pretty dull bit of suburbia in the pouring rain no doubt having 90% of people slam the door on him. I'll sleep on it and see how I'm feeling in the morning.
Thanks again for the replies.
If you do decide to send any money, the only information that will be visible on the receiving account will be the name on your account, whatever reference you put, the date and the amount. Even if he asked the bank for more information, they wouldn't give it. Consider the stories that crop up now and then of people receiving payments that aren't for them; if the sort code and account number were visible on the receiving end, it would be a simple matter of just sending the funds back to where they originated, but you hear of people struggling to give the money back until someone at the sending end notices that it's gone astray.
Regardless of whether the sob story is true, or a complete fabrication, I'd be more concerned about repeat visits now that you've got a big green tick against your name as a soft touch.
Regardless of whether the sob story is true, or a complete fabrication, I'd be more concerned about repeat visits now that you've got a big green tick against your name as a soft touch.
Evoluzione said:
Do some research into how Jeremy Clarkson advertised his bank details in his newspaper column to prove that nobody could use them.
Yes'd seen that. I wasn't too worried about my name, account number and sort code, more if he had the address as well. Mostly from an identity theft point of view I guess. Thanks.cherie171 said:
Regardless of whether the sob story is true, or a complete fabrication, I'd be more concerned about repeat visits now that you've got a big green tick against your name as a soft touch.
Ironically there was a sticker on our door when we moved in a couple of years ago stating that we don't buy at the door, but I removed it as it was an eyesore. Might have to buy another!PH_77 said:
Did you ask him what he did his time for? Aggravated burglary / assault / home invasion?
In my opinion these types should not be conversed with at all.
Nope, and I'm starting to feel a bit naive now to be honest. It's a shame as I do really believe people deserve a second chance but there are obviously some bad apples out there too. As I say I will sleep on it but I'm certainly edging towards reconsidering now. Glad I didn't do anything knee-jerk anyway.In my opinion these types should not be conversed with at all.
JustADay said:
PH_77 said:
Did you ask him what he did his time for? Aggravated burglary / assault / home invasion?
In my opinion these types should not be conversed with at all.
Nope, and I'm starting to feel a bit naive now to be honest. It's a shame as I do really believe people deserve a second chance but there are obviously some bad apples out there too. As I say I will sleep on it but I'm certainly edging towards reconsidering now. Glad I didn't do anything knee-jerk anyway.In my opinion these types should not be conversed with at all.
All the best anyway. In my experience, tell any strangers who come knocking at your door that you're busy feeding the hounds and that you have to go.
Evoluzione said:
Do some research into how Jeremy Clarkson advertised his bank details in his newspaper column to prove that nobody could use them.
This is the other way round though, or as the payee do you get to see the number and sort code of the person making the payment?I suppose they already know your billing address (having just been there).
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