help me!

bride_on_a_budget

Hi, i know i have put this in the wrong place, but i didnt know where to put it.

i run my own business and a company rang up and offered me a good google listing (number 1) for £80 a month, i said i would have to think about it, they said they would hold the position for me but would need card details as a deposit! which i gave them. they said no money will be taken out of my account without my authorisation and would ring me on friday to discuss if i wanted to go ahead.
i emailed them on wednesday to say i did not want to go ahead, no response.
i get in today to find a answer phone meassage to say the £115 has cleared and i m now on google
arrggg!
i have tried ringing them and it goes staright to answer machine.
i only gave my details out as my best friend uses them for her business and says they are great.

rang bank and they said as it was a debit card payment they cant do anything except cancel may card so next months payment does not come out!

where do i stand, i have to send a letter to disputes at my bank to try and get the payment sorted out, i also rang another of these companies and they said what they have done is illegal, they were only holding my details until i decided.

please help
Bride

Pee

Until someone comes along with a better idea, cancel the card and then look into the small claims court procedure to try and get your money back. The CAB could help with that, but to be honest, I don't think it will be successful as effectively it is your word against theirs. Ask the CAB are you entitled to a "cooling off period", there is something about this with cold calling.

bride_on_a_budget

Hi pee,
thankyou for your reply,
the bank are canceling my card, i have copies of the emails i sent them, one on wednesday to cancel.

i really hope i can get this sorted out and hope that they record there calls

bride

shelovestobuystuff

I had something like this happen too,only for the half the amolunt of money though.They said they needed my bank card number to check I had a U.K. registered bank account.No-one mentioned money,it was meant to be to check my identity for a loan application.
Almost instantly they took money from my debit card.
I went to my bank and they said there was nothing they could do as I had willingly given the company my debit card number.
I lost that money even though it was essentially stolen and all I could do was cancel the card to make sure they didnt do it again.

sammie383

Hi

I just wanted to warn you that cancelling your card may not be the end of it if what they have done is set up a DEBIT CARD authorisation.

I cancelled my card as I was changing my name, and had a recourring charge debited from my card for £4.99 to Microsoft ( my hubby xbox ).

I forgot all about this payment and didnt tell them my new card details, fastforward the next month and a CASH payment shows up on my statement. I cal the bank and as what it was for and they said as I had set up a DEBIT CARD authorisation with this company that they authorised it anyway even though they used the old card details and the bank took the CASh out of my account and paid the company.

I would just have a check with you bank that this wont happen next month with you.

snowmaid

There should be a cooling off period. Check this. Don't let them get away with this.

Blue_Fairy_3

Sympathies bride on a budget. Sorry to give you more bad news but if it was for your business, you may not have the right to a 'cooling-off period' to cancel this or get your money back. A similar thing happened to a family member, I think he sought legal advice on cancelling the arrangement as like you, he had not fully agreed to it but given his card details. Apparantly the rules are different when the contract is between two businesses, rather than a business and a personal customer- there is no right to a cooling-off period.

I re-iterate other posters - NEVER give your card details to anyone who is asking for a regular payment, or claiming it's for 'verification purposes', as even if they take more than you agreed, or charge you for something completely different, you have no comeback. There is nothing your bank can do, they cannot treat it as fraud as you gave your card details willingly. I think it's a bit like, if you lent your card to any old person and told them your pin number, well it's your fault, it's not the same as someone stealing your card without your knowledge and then going on a spending spree.

Obviously this situation is not quite as simple as that, I certainly don't mean to say it's your own fault- this company has conned you basically. You don't stand much chance of getting your money back I'm sorry to say (unless they are very nice and honest, but considering what they've done it doesn't sound like they are.) It may be best to put it down as a lesson learnt, and only agree to pay companies by direct debit in future, as you will be protected by the DD guarantee. It's worth trying to get the money back, but don't be surprised if you don't as they can just refuse and there's not much you can do. Sorry to be so gloomy I really hope you can get it sorted, good luck.

McKneff

Never ever believe what anyone TELLS you over the phone, always get it in writing first, even if its just an emai.

Katie-Kat-Kins

Complain to trading standards about them and write a formal letter requesting a full refund and cancellation of the payments.

Reds-on-Sea

That's terrible, don't let them get away with this by any means.

Just out of interest, have you got your #1 google rating?

At the very least I hope it gets you some extra business if you can't recoup your losses.

Georgie4

KatP wrote: »

Complain to trading standards about them and write a formal letter requesting a full refund and cancellation of the payments.

I agree totally with this and cold calling ALWAYS has a cooling off period - check their terms and conditions