Possible fraud against practice

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Wren — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 12:01:36 GMT

[quote user="ih220"]

I return things now and again to large shops (eg buy shoes without child, take home to try on, don't fit child so take back) and it's always been back to the card I've paid on. They also seem to like to take my postcode and usually get me to sign something - I don't know whether this is to identify frequent/malicious returners or to make sure my postcode matches the details on the card, or nothing to do with the return directly but some sort of market research or something. I've had no reason to object to it but have sometimes wondered what the point of it is.

[/quote]

Ditto - similar in a garden centre yesterday. Bought 4x same plant, check out person somehow managed to put the quantity as 5. Realised just as we were paying, but after the transaction had gone through. Had to be refunded to same card, and had to sign. No postcode though.

RE: Possible fraud against practice

ih220 — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 10:54:35 GMT

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Peter Faulkner — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:07:41 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

I would only refund by the method of original payment and in person to whoever first requested the service. If you gave this unknown person the cash you can be sure Mrs X will be along soon saying she has no idea who the other person was and demand refund onto her card.

We don't have client loyalty schemes or similar but if we did there would be a clause that an administration fee would be deducted in the event of cancellation plus of course any services rendered at their full cost.

If you are truly suspicious this is fraudulent activity then yes I would report it to the police albeit I doubt they'd do anything about it.

[/quote]

I vaguely remember from somewhere that you have to refund using the original payment method or card to avoid falling foul of money laundering regulations.

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 19:41:31 GMT

Isn't this a take on the classic shoplifting scam

You steal an item then take it back and ask for a refund.

It's just a twist on that isn't it?

Neil

PS The classic health club scam is to take out the plan under a direct debit, get the vaccination and flea worming products and then cancel the direct debit.

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Julie Innes — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:04:28 GMT

We had a similar situation, although not involving fraud. The couple had fallen out acrimoniously. Dog was in the name of one of them, and he called to say the other was not to be allowed access to any information about the dog, and we were NOT to change the ID chip details (tried to explain that we couldn't anyway!) Then other partner called and when I tried to explain to him I couldn't change the chip details he shouted he would "SEE YOU IN COURT" before slamming the phone down. All very dramatic . Silly loons!

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Bibs — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:12:43 GMT

If the purchase was made under Mrs X's name and Mrs X's card is it not best to only give a refund if Mrs X requests it, and onto her card only?

Unless of course Mrs X gives you permission to deal with Mr X. Mr X might be nothing to do with Mrs X or may be interfering in her business.

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 09:54:14 GMT

If you are truly suspicious this is fraudulent activity then yes I would report it to the police albeit I doubt they'd do anything about it.

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Bob Russell — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 09:26:18 GMT

We would only return/refund by the method paid in the first place. If credit/debit card the practice will pay a fee that is refunded only via their system.

Apparently it can take three days for a contactless payment to go through therefore the risk is there until money gets to your account. After that it has to be a 'chargeback' which is a bit more controlled.

Fewer clients bad debt today but there are some trying it on in new ways!

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Iain Richards — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 09:10:54 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]Make a nice clearly-titled thread so people know what you're going on about?![/quote]

Excellent, Arlo, can we have a saucer-of-milk icon for such pithy put-downs please?

RE: Possible fraud against practice

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 09:10:30 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]Make a nice clearly-titled thread so people know what you're going on about?![/quote]

Indeed - I have retitled the post.

J G Wray are you trying to give me another full time job here, subbing your headlines?

RE: Laundry!

Rob Loxley — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 08:42:17 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"]

Mr X wanted a refund, in cash.

We declined, offering a refund on the card or a cheque

[/quote]

We only refund in the way payment was made - to the card used to pay, cash, cheque as appropriate. Avoids refunding, in cash, a card payment that gets stopped by the client's bank down the line...

[quote user="J G Wray"]What does everyone think is the most effective way of disseminating little moments like this to help others?[/quote]

Make a nice clearly-titled thread so people know what you're going on about?!

RE: Laundry!

J G Wray — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 08:39:54 GMT

[quote user="Iain Richards"]Letter to the VR and Vet Times, plus I'll copy that to the 8000 vets on Vet Voices and V:SGD facebook groups (if OK by you).[/quote]

I was thinking that vet managers and owners might be useful as well. Are there any organisations for them you know of?

RE: Laundry!

J G Wray — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 08:37:09 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]Maybe they just their minds, or found a better offer elsewhere? is there a cooling off period after someone joins the scheme where they can just cancel and be refunded?[/quote]

Well, let me explain. I appreciate you are a locum. We are happy to provide an immediate refund, just not in cash. If product has been taken we will refund minus the value of the product supplied. These are all clear in the Ts & Cs.

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]How would or could it be fraudulent? how would they gain if they were just refunded any monies paid where no services or goods have been provided?[/quote]

This is how the fraud works, when, for instance a card has been stolen.

Person A purchases a product/service with the card, perhaps over the phone.

Then Person B asks for a refund in cash. The practice has acted as an ATM.

These things come to our attention because they are exceptional.

RE: Laundry!

Iain Richards — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 08:27:33 GMT

Letter to the VR and Vet Times, plus I'll copy that to the 8000 vets on Vet Voices and V:SGD facebook groups (if OK by you).

Clive - I wondered that, but reflected it could be an indicator of marital discord, perhaps divorced couple. New T&C, refunds only to account, no cash.

RE: Laundry!

Clive Ansell — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 08:21:39 GMT

Maybe they just their minds, or found a better offer elsewhere? is there a cooling off period after someone joins the scheme where they can just cancel and be refunded?

How would or could it be fraudulent? how would they gain if they were just refunded any monies paid where no services or goods have been provided?