Does anyone know about Visa Debit chargebacks ?

aMeLia'S~MuMMY · 5 December 2007 at 5:50PM

I recently purchased an item over the internet from a company that seemed reputable, however the goods have failed to be delivered and basically the website has disappeared and the bloke has done a runner.

I paid via visa debit card for the transaction via google checkout and have not received my goods. I understand that Visa debit does not offer the full cover that Visa credit offers, however I believe that a chargeback can be done but I am not too sure as to the proceedure and does doing this mean that I would definately recoup my money as I would be covered on my card by Visa rules.

I have found this when searching google ( this is about the farepak saga)

"According to Visa's rules you can start a 'chargeback' procedure. This means your bank will issue proceedings against Farepack's bank to get your money back. Under Visa's rules (not the law, only Visas rules) the acquirer bank is responsible (ie not the company but its bank) to get the money back in a transaction that hasn't been adequately completed."

I seem to be getting nowhere with my bank at the moment and it is like banging my head against a brick wall, they have told me they need to contact the retailer ( who I know has now done a runner ) to obtain my money.

I feel like I need something concrete to quote in order support myself when I call them as at the moment
1. I speak to someone different every time I call and get different answers each time

2. They don't seem to be any help as if the seller is still there according to them he can just say NO can't have money back .'. I am £619 out of pocket.

This is not the impression I get regarding chargebacks as I thought that because i was covered under Visa terms on my debit card I had more protection than this as all retailers could just say no.

Any help would be appreciated as the bank certainly don't seem to be able to give me any consistant answers and next time I call them i would like to be armed with some info.

:A

taless · 5 December 2007 at 6:38PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/4260806.stm

Yes, Visa Debit does offer chargebacks, but as the news article mentioned (and also by some other posters here), most bank staff are not aware of this.

You have to keep on pushing and escalating the issue. You ARE entitled to a chargeback.

Good luck!

aMeLia'S~MuMMY · 5 December 2007 at 6:52PM

i do keep going on at them, have even given them the link below to look at their end, but all i have done so far is filled in disputed transaction form.

I agree with you that I am entitled to a chargeback but who do they get the money off if the bloke has done a bunk with his money ? or do I just lose out? And how do I convice the bank staff that I am entitled to this?

:A

jonesMUFCforever · 5 December 2007 at 7:27PM

Are you speaking to someone in a branch - in most cases they can't help you - you need to speak to somebody in the bank's card services department.

I do not offer a comment on taless's post 2.

aMeLia'S~MuMMY · 5 December 2007 at 7:33PM

I have been ringing my online banking service with regards to this, however I seem to get a different answer every time i call. I wouldn't know who else to call.

:A

Alfie_E · 5 December 2007 at 8:32PM

aMeLia'S~MuMMY wrote: »

I wouldn't know who else to call.

This would suggest that now is a very good time to stop calling.

Start a formal complaint. Do that in writing. Put the word “complaint” big and bold at the start of the letter. Look on the bank’s website for the correct address to post it to.

You’ll be pleased to know that the Financial Ombudsman Service almost certainly shares your opinion – if the bank can use a chargeback system to help you, they’re duty bound to use it. See plastic cards → chargeback in the March 2001 issue of Ombudsman News. That speciﬁcally refers to credit cards, but I don’t see why a debit card with a chargeback provision would be treated any differently.

Further, if you made use of an authorised overdraft to make the transaction, the FOS also considers that your debit card constitutes a ‘credit-token’, as set out in the Consumer Credit Act 1974. See using plastic cards as credit-tokens. You would then also have protection under Section 75, making the bank jointly liable.

aMeLia'S~MuMMY · 5 December 2007 at 8:47PM

Thanks Alfie, I did get their complaints address from them during my hour ( not the first) phone call tonight. If you refer anything to them with regards to credit cards they just say but you used debit card !! and unfortunately I did not go into any overdraft to buy the goods.

thanks for you help
:A

taless · 5 December 2007 at 9:02PM

I think the Disputed Transactions Form is the right form. Good luck and let us know how things go!

jonesMUFCforever · 5 December 2007 at 10:01PM

aMeLia'S~MuMMY wrote: »

I have been ringing my online banking service with regards to this, however I seem to get a different answer every time i call. I wouldn't know who else to call.

:A

NO! Not online banking - you need to ask specifically for the number for the bank's card services.
They deal with Visa (and presumablt Mastercard) - it is this department you want - trust me!

aMeLia'S~MuMMY · 6 December 2007 at 2:55PM

Thanks very much i will try this route

:A

aMeLia'S~MuMMY · 2 February 2008 at 11:45AM

Harryhound i have pm'd you
:A

Does anyone know about Visa Debit chargebacks ?

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