Go to first unread
Back
to top
Is it safe to give a your sort code and acc number to a stranger?
Watch
Announcements
This discussion is closed.
I'm a blogger and media companies have been contacting me recently to place ads on my blog, and I thought the safest way to be paid for this was to use my paypal. However even though it wasn't an ebay transaction, paypal is taking an annoying chunk of what I'm earning.
Would it be safe to give my sort code and acc number to the media companies and ask them to do a direct transfer? Is there anyway this could result in me being scammed?
Would it be safe to give my sort code and acc number to the media companies and ask them to do a direct transfer? Is there anyway this could result in me being scammed?
0
Report
#2
Unless you know the company very well it is not safe to give this kind of information out.
1
Report
#4
I believe Jeremy Clarkson believed it was perfectly safe and put his in his news column and a diabetic society helped themselves to something like £500 
4
Report
#6
You can't pull cash out of an account with just that info... But otoh people leak a lot of information on sites like facebook, tsr etc that could be used for identity fraud. If someone knew your bank account numbers plus birthday, where you live, mothers maiden name, first pet etc which is often used as backup id by banks they might be able to rip you off.
The pro way of doing it would be to set up a no overdraft account just for recieving money and transfer any balance in there to your main account every day.
The pro way of doing it would be to set up a no overdraft account just for recieving money and transfer any balance in there to your main account every day.
0
Report
#8
It's supposed to be safe, but whether it is in practice is in reality just to rely on bank staff insisting on protocol.
0
Report
#9
(Original post by Joinedup)
The pro way of doing it would be to set up a no overdraft account just for recieving money and transfer any balance in there to your main account every day.
The pro way of doing it would be to set up a no overdraft account just for recieving money and transfer any balance in there to your main account every day.
0
Report
#10
In theory, the details can be used to set up a direct debit, however my bank at least text me whenever any direct debits or standing orders are set up, and as long as you check your bank details often, and notice any unauthorised payments in the 'processing' stage where you can cancel them you should be fine.
I believe so, yes. I know some bank cards do as well (printed on), so the details could in theory be written down if you used the card in a shop.
(Original post by ily_em)
Cheques have the sort code and account number on them, don't they?
Cheques have the sort code and account number on them, don't they?
0
(Original post by MJ1993)
Unless you know the company very well it is not safe to give this kind of information out.
Unless you know the company very well it is not safe to give this kind of information out.
0
Report
#12
(Original post by py0alb)
Perfectly safe. here's mine 12-34-56 12345678. Your turn now.
Perfectly safe. here's mine 12-34-56 12345678. Your turn now.
0
Report
#13
Couldn't you ask them for their details first ? and then you could check to see if they are legit.
0
Report
#14
(Original post by dknt)
I believe Jeremy Clarkson believed it was perfectly safe and put his in his news column and a diabetic society helped themselves to something like £500
I believe Jeremy Clarkson believed it was perfectly safe and put his in his news column and a diabetic society helped themselves to something like £500
So long as they dont have your address aswell theres really not much they can do with it, except give you money
0
Report
#15
It should be OK as long as you monitor your bank account.
Many businesses - even very large ones - spread their details quite widely. When I was invoiced for my laptop the account number and sort code appeared at the bottom of the invoice even though I wasn't paying by bank transfer. A fraudster could set up a direct debit if he forged your signature and the bank accepted the forgery, but you should be refunded if that happens.
Many businesses - even very large ones - spread their details quite widely. When I was invoiced for my laptop the account number and sort code appeared at the bottom of the invoice even though I wasn't paying by bank transfer. A fraudster could set up a direct debit if he forged your signature and the bank accepted the forgery, but you should be refunded if that happens.
0
Report
#16
(Original post by taylorg292)
The media company seems legit, they've paid me once before so I don't think they'd see a reason to scam me seocnd time round
The media company seems legit, they've paid me once before so I don't think they'd see a reason to scam me seocnd time round
0
(Original post by MJ1993)
But if they asked for your account number and sort code that is kinda dodgy :/
But if they asked for your account number and sort code that is kinda dodgy :/
0
Report
#19
(Original post by taylorg292)
They didn't ask me for it, they asked for my paypal account. But paypal is taking a chunk out of it each time I get paid.
They didn't ask me for it, they asked for my paypal account. But paypal is taking a chunk out of it each time I get paid.
This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App
0
X
new posts
