Former Danish minister defrauded of DKK 38,000: I was really grateful for the bank's help.
When you are confused and scared, it is reassuring that your bank adviser knows exactly what to do. This is the opinion of former Danish minister Hans Engell, who recently had DKK 38,000 withdrawn from his credit card.
Something entirely different than demands made Lars Løkke
As a former minister and in his job as a political commentator, Hans Engell has experienced all sorts of things, but this is the first time he suddenly sees money disappear from his account like that.
“As a former politician and political commentator, I often witness major upheavals and things that are suddenly turned upside down. But when it suddenly affects your own purse, and 38,000 kroner disappears in three days, you get completely different feelings than when Lars Løkke makes new demands. It affects you in a completely different way," he explains.
He wants to help highlight that this type of fraud may occur even if you are careful with your credit card.
“I've been very open about it as I think it's worth discussing because it is a problem,” he says.
To his own surprise, he has subsequently met several people with similar stories.
“Danish society is one of the most digitalised in Europe. We are very far ahead when it comes to e-commerce, e-transactions and the like, and suddenly I discovered that several of my colleagues have been exposed to exactly the same thing," he says.
How the heck is this possible?
Hans Engell has gotten all his money back.
"The bank acted very professionally, and I was very quickly told that I'd been the victim of fraud. I got all my money back, so it didn't cost me anything, and that is, of course, incredibly satisfying as a customer," he says.
In addition, he also received an explanation from the police about why they can't do more in his case.
“The police are simply closing the case, but actually gave me a very good explanation as to why. It's not like my case is just being thrown out," he says.
Yet, something is still nagging Hans Engell.
"It's a bit shocking and scary that neither the bank nor the police have been able to find out how the person in question managed to get my credit card information. They used not only the credit card number and expiry date but also the check digits. And that's why I also ask myself, how the heck is this possible?”
Hans Engell still hasn't come any closer to answering that question.
As mentioned, he hasn't been to Paris in many years. He does have a house in the south of France, but when it comes to paying at the local supermarket, cash is usually his chosen means of payment. Once in a while, he also uses his Mastercard.
“But I never let my credit card out of sight. Not even when I pay at a restaurant. Then the waiter comes over with a payment device, and I pay at the table,” he explains.
Will be more careful in future
Hans Engell has always been used to checking his bank statements regularly, but his experience means that he will do it even more systematically in future.
“I will check my accounts, be more careful and be even more restrictive when it comes to online shopping. I will check all the information I get, and I will renew my credit card a little more often and take even better care of it," he says.
And he's also ready with advice for others who find themselves in the same situation.
“If something doesn't add up, call the bank immediately and block your card as the very first thing. And you should also call the police, because even though they may not be able to do much, you might give them information they need," says Hans Engell.
