Scammer has bank details - [email protected]

Hi all. Due to my complete ignorance, a scammer now has my bank account details. These include my name, branch number and account number. As soon as providing them, I realised my mistake and called the bank who cancelled the account. What other steps do I need to take to protect myself? I understand ID theft can result from what I provided the scammer? All help is really appreciated

Hi Jessica,

I am so sorry that this happened to you but you realized what was happening before you lost money. Closing the account and notifying the bank was the right thing to do. You should drop all communication-block him on-line and by phone. Ignore any attempt he makes to communicate.

You may start receiving emails offering to help you "recover" lost money or help scam victims. These are also very common scams targeting people who have already been in contact with a scammer. If possible, you may want to change your email and passwords.

Could you post his contact info and some of his emails? They will help others who may be in contact and are using search engines for information.

Hi Tinker, thanks for your reply. Yeah I am glad that I realised straight away. Do you know of anything else that I should do, or should have cancelling the bank account be sufficient? What is there that a scammer can do with bank account details, as he doesn't have any of my passwords or the like.

I was selling my boat on Gumtree and I got an email making an enquiry as to if it was still for sale. Upon replying, he wrote this:

Thanks for mailing back,am ok with the price and the condition,i work with New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) and we are presently offshore in New Zealand Taranaki Basin on kupe project.We do not have access to phone at the moment,its 15days off and 15days on and that's why I contacted you with internet messaging facility.Regarding the payment,i will be paying you through PayPal,please get back to me with your paypal details so i can process the payment,you can alternatively send your bsb and acct number if you have no PayPal acct.I have also contacted my courier who will come for pick up and deliver it to my place in Darwin after the whole fund has been cleared into your acct.
Await your reply

After a few emails he had my account details. After searching New Zealand Oil and Gas I found that this scam was not unheard of. The email address he used was [email protected]

Added quotation. (BW)

Jesse - Don't Panic. The guy was going to have you pay to have the item picked up before PayPal released the imaginary money to you. He's likely in an internet cafe in Africa and your bank information will not allow him to open accounts or obtain identification in your name. Relax.