A Keighley woman said she is struggling to claim back hundreds of pounds fraudulently withdrawn from her bank account.

Patricia Midgley, of Knowle Park, said she was “devastated” to discover £725 was removed from her Barclays account more than three months ago on the same day as she was paid.

Since then, the bank has given her £300, but she has been unable to reclaim the remaining £425.

“I had to beg them for the £300 and told them I needed it for the gas and electric,” she said. “For me, £425 is a lot of money – it’s a lot for many people.

“I’ve been in and out of the bank lots of times trying to get it back, but I’m getting nowhere fast.”

Mrs Midgley, 55, who works as a spot welder, said she has now reported the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

When contacted by the Keighley News, a Barclays spokesman said the bank would not comment officially.

Mrs Midgley said she was paid on May 20 but was shocked to find money missing from her account later that same day.

She initially thought it was due to a problem with her employer’s payment system, but now understands someone in the UK based miles from Keighley fraudulently withdrew her cash.

“I’ve no idea how they got hold of my bank details,” she said. “I hadn’t lost my card. The bank has told me I must have given someone permission to take the money, but I didn’t. I never signed anything or told anyone else my account details.

“I’m just being given excuses and I’m no nearer to getting my money back. I’m getting fed up and don’t know what else to do.”

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