Debit order fraud

[Cpt.DipStick]

Hey all, hoping I could get some advice - seems I'm a victim of debit order fraud


On the 20th of December, I noticed a transaction going off my main account for R89. I was away on holiday at the time, thinking 'oh, it's probably something I purchased' and carried on with my life, but had this nagging feeling to follow it up once I got back home.


In January on the 25th, it seems I got another one. Same amount, same description. "ACB: DEBIT EXTERNAL VIGOR:VIGOR...".


I called my bank and enquired about the debit order, and they gave me the site details - saying it's the Vigor Game, which I've never seen before, nor do I have an account for.
I've created a support ticket with them and stopped the debit order for now, but it seems like there's not much one can do since should they decide to change the description or amount of the debit order, it'll still go off my account.


Does anyone have any recommendations here? Waiting on feedback from support from the company of the game, trying to get more info on who, when and why my details were used...

 

[BlueCrayon]

Interesting, can i ask what bank you're with?

Capitec always send me a message to confirm any debit orders loaded onto my account and I need to accept.

 

[Cpt.DipStick]

Interesting, can i ask what bank you're with?

Capitec always send me a message to confirm any debit orders loaded onto my account and I need to accept.

I'm with Absa - and typically this happens too with the DebiCheck feature, but after chatting to their consultants, this only holds true for merchants who want to utilize it (as it's for their safety too)

 

[ThatGuyJD]

Can't you cancel the debit order on the bank side and then just fight with the game owner if there are repercussions.

Although the games looks like a legit entity so...

You sure the wife or kid didn't create an account or something.

 

[Cpt.DipStick]

Can't you cancel the debit order on the bank side and then just fight with the game owner if there are repercussions

So I can stop the debit order (which I've done), and can also choose to reverse them (planning on doing)
Since it's not an account tied to my identity, like a cellphone account or something, it shouldn't affect my credit score at all -
But should the company choose to keep the debit order, they can change the description or price, and it'll just continue to come off my account.
Absa gave me the details of their complaints department who can start an investigation into it if I don't have any feedback, so feels quite open ended at this stage

 

[Cpt.DipStick]

Can't you cancel the debit order on the bank side and then just fight with the game owner if there are repercussions.

Although the games looks like a legit entity so...

You sure the wife or kid didn't create an account or something.

Also, don't have a kid 😂the SO doesn't play these games, nor would use my banking information without me knowing

 

[ThatGuyJD]

Also, don't have a kid 😂the SO doesn't play these games, nor would use my banking information without me knowing

Just covering all the bases.

 

[Rcmsnake]

Ask Absa for a copy of the debit order authorization form or recording where you have approved the debit order - otherwise you want your money back in full without any penalties to you.

 

[TheJudge]

This sounds remarkably like the R99 debit order scams (yes, I know, R10). Google to see some articles on them.

 

[Cpt.DipStick]

This sounds remarkably like the R99 debit order scams (yes, I know, R10). Google to see some articles on them.

Wow, I actually didn't know this was a thing. Did some research, here's a summary and what to do about it for anyone else who encounters it.

https://www.sabric.co.za/stay-safe/debit-order-scams/

Seems like the whole DebiCheck thing is supposed to combat this, but it's taking ages to implement

 

[Scavnga]

I'm with Absa - and typically this happens too with the DebiCheck feature, but after chatting to their consultants, this only holds true for merchants who want to utilize it (as it's for their safety too)

If you with ABSA you can go through the app, reverse the debit order and block that transaction. Same thing happened to me with company that didn’t even exist but was debiting R97 a month, good luck 🍀

 

[solz]

Had similar issue, logged it with fraud guys. First thing they stop your card and investigate. Once all is done they reverse all charges that went off and you should then be getting new card.
Normally a quick and painless experience. It takes a week of two.

 

[Mr_Pool]

Also, don't have a kid 😂

That you know of....

 

[aiccc]

First thing they stop your card and investigate.

What card do they stop?

 

[solz]

The one that the fraud happend on(the card link to the account) . Funny thing though that all my debit orders still went off it without issues. But I couldn't use the card at tills or online.

 

[Cpt.DipStick]

The one that the fraud happend on(the card link to the account) . Funny thing though that all my debit orders still went off it without issues. But I couldn't use the card at tills or online.

So it's a misconception that it goes off on a card, it's a debit order - thus it's linked to an account & not a card. The fraud department don't directly get involved if it's not a credit card transaction which is the case with me...

So stopping my card won't do anything :/I can't reverse the debit order for last month since it was already processed, but this months I put a stop on and reversed it - so they can't debit me again (unless they change the amount or description)

Best I can do from here is get in touch with the ABSA action line people and lodge a complaint, to which they can start an investigation if I don't get feedback from the Vigor support ticket I opened

 

[solz]

So it's a misconception that it goes off on a card, it's a debit order - thus it's linked to an account & not a card. The fraud department don't directly get involved if it's not a credit card transaction which is the case with me...

So stopping my card won't do anything :/I can't reverse the debit order for last month since it was already processed, but this months I put a stop on and reversed it - so they can't debit me again (unless they change the amount or description)

Best I can do from here is get in touch with the ABSA action line people and lodge a complaint, to which they can start an investigation if I don't get feedback from the Vigor support ticket I opened

That's funny cause I logged a call with absa over a payment that went off on my cheque account for a payment that reflected as Netflix prem. The first thing they did was to stop my card that's link to the account and about a week later after they investigated they refunded the amount. Netflix has been canceled for the last year or so and was only purchased via credit card back then and my Netflix still shows the pay to reactivate witch they didn't need as proof.

Last time I had issues also with random deductions also logged it with them and they canceled the card first. (this was prob about 10y ago) and was showing as bluebean on their end with a number you call and drops once you reach number 1 in the queue. But they ended up refusing funds I didn't know where part of this.