One e-mail 'confirming' a large transfer of money from my bank account I could dismiss; when the second turned up today I had to ring the bank to put my mind at rest - they are, apparently, well known fraud attempts. One purports to be from DVDzone, the other from ANS payroll ...

Actually, that was the second time today my bank was helpful. I rang this morning to ask whether I could 'pay off' a loan with 11 months still to go and borrow the total outstanding plus £3,000 to cover the PhD. Not only was this not a problem, the APR rate has dropped from 9.8% - original loan - to an amazing 6.4%!!! This means I am actually paying *less* on the new loan than I was on the old - !! And for not that much extra in duration, either!!

And if Thames Valley Police decide I can have study support (and I will have words with the Chief, himself a well known criminologist, if they don't!!) I can put £1,500 in the household account to gain interest until I need it this time next year!!

So well done, Abbey National. Both the people I spoke to were English, and very helpful. Neither was concerned that I was unsure of some details (I didn't actually have my bank account number to hand when I rang about the loan, just the reference of the other loan). I can honestly say I am impressed by their helpful and polite staff.

And yah, boo, sucks to internet fraudsters. Shove off and leave our playground alone!!