SATCOV Direct Debit

Harveycat_2

Several years ago I was persuaded to take out satellite TV insurance. It covered the Sky box and dish against faults or accidental damage.

Around eighteen months ago I got a new Sky+ box so it had 12 months guarantee with it. Therefore I cancelled the insurance because I did not need it. I also cancelled the DD with the bank.

The company has telephoned me on a regular basis (once every couple of months) ever since attempting to get me to rejoin. I have always declined.

Checking my bank statement I just noticed that there is a new DD for £9 'initial payment' for Satcov 08716641400

I immediately telephoned my bank to report a fraud. The bank will not accept it as fraud and have told me to deal with this company myself. Apparently it is my responsibility because I set up the DD myself originally.

I threatened to leave my bank and they were not bothered.

I'm really frustrated. Even though I have again cancelled this DD there is no reason why they cannot simply set up another DD again next month.

The bank will not accept any responsibility.

What the heck do I do?

opinions4u

Okay, they have collected a direct debit without your authority.

You need to deal with both the bank and the company though.

1) Contact your bank and tell them that the direct debit has been taken without your authority and request an immediate reimbursement under the direct debit guarantee scheme.

2) Ensure the bank cancels the direct debt.

3) Contact SatCov by recorded/registered delivery to:
- cancel the cover
- complain and request compensation for costs / time in dealing with the matter

4) Ring "Consumer Direct" 0845 4040506 and help get this parasite of a company stopped (local numbers in this link)

It's not your bank's fault, although they should have dealt with (1) and (2) for you when you first contacted them.


www.saynoto0870.com also quotes 01243 556000 as a contact number for SatCov.

agsnu

opinions4u wrote: »

1) Contact your bank and tell them that the direct debit has been taken without your authority and request an immediate reimbursement under the direct debit indemnity scheme.

Under the Direct Debit Guarantee. The indemnity scheme is nothing to do with normal retail customers.

opinions4u

agsnu wrote: »

Under the Direct Debit Guarantee. The indemnity scheme is nothing to do with normal retail customers.

While I have made the adjustment suggested, as you're right that it is the Guarantee that I should have referred to in my post, if direct debit indemnity didn't exist, do you really think the Direct Debit Guarantee would exist and benefit "normal retail customers"?

Extant

opinions4u wrote: »

While I have made the adjustment suggested, as you're right that it is the Guarantee that I should have referred to in my post, if direct debit indemnity didn't exist, do you really think the Direct Debit Guarantee would exist and benefit "normal retail customers"?

Something similar would - companies benefit massively from Direct Debits, and would want the facility, or similar to exist. It's a fair certainty the banks/companies involved would offer a similar arrangement to the indemnity.

BOBNSY

SATCOV Direct - Obviously have a dubious sales policy, they set up spurious DD's by phoning potential customers and leading them to assume that they are 'Sky Protect' to obtain bank details. That is the method they employed with me. I managed to obtain a refund of the first DD in February but have today discovered a second 'attack' on my bank statement. I have notified my bank and will receive a refund under their indemnity rules.
Importantly I have also phoned 'Consumer Direct' (The government Organisation) to register the complaint. Understandably they need many complaints to take action. So if anyone who is a victim should add their case to the list.
Bobnsy

OldGreyFox

See also : http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=23216817#post23216817