Recurring Payments Warning! discussion

AnneL253

Had this set up by National Home Study - thought we we're just paying for one item and they keep taking money for no reason, as and when they feel like it. Has happened 4 times in last 18 months. Have always had it back previously, but have to contact them and fight for it. The latest one (July) I'm having big problems getting back. It's been promised three times, but no joy so far. I have tried disputing these with my credit card company (Tesco) each time they occur, but they say they can only cancel my card, and I would need to pay off the remainder of the balance before they will do that.
From the website, I read it as though they have a responsibility to dispute the transaction with the retailer under the Banking Code. Am I right in thinking this? Is there anything else that I can do?
Thanks.

ziggyblue

I cancelled my account with the bank to stop the illegal sky payment going through and opened up a new one and the bank has now taken the illegal payment through another of my bank accounts. I am now paying Sky twice.

LEWI5777

Hi,
I have a recurring payment, and I don't know who it is to. It keeps coming out of my account, and when I search for the company name it comes up with nothing. It is probably a porno site, which makes it more embarrassing to deal with also.
How do I stop it? If I can not contact the company as I do not know who it is, how can I ask them to stop?

Paul_Herring

How do I stop it? If I can not contact the company as I do not know who it is, how can I ask them to stop?

Ask your credit card company for the details of the company making the recurring bill.

DebtKiller

Has anyone had any success using a pre-paid credit card for something like this?

I need to subscribe to a web site (which is definitely using Continuous Payment Authority, based on the blurb) but only really need a day or so's access & definitely not a month or more. A pre-paid card sounds like the ideal solution, but it's an expensive fee for me to risk it.

Edit: forgot to mention the site is US-based, in case that makes any difference!

beeb

I'm just starting a dispute which the bank is going to take forward. Over $200 has been taken in a month and not received anything either!! Have always been quite cautious but got stung with this one - bank says its one of the most common companies they deal with for disputes. Wish there was a way to warn people about this company - trying to phone and cancel has cost me over £20, it's never answered nor have e-mails or letters. Cancelling the credit card doesn't work!! Even reading the terms and conditions (after the fact unfortunately) are written in such legal terms that I still don't quite understand them. Can we have a blacklist? Hopefully the bank will be able to sort it!!! Even though the payments will be taken from my account during the dispute period I don't have to pay until its sorted (and won't have to hopefully).:mad:

escortg3

gemtey wrote: »

If the payments are being made on a debit card its being made using your 16 digit card number. Depending on which bank your with, they should be able to block your existing debit card and reissue another card with a new card number. Its a pain as you will be without a debit card for a week or two but this should stop future payments being taken.

As far as I am aware this situation is the same for credit cards. I work for a bank and have a lot of people complaining about reoccuring payments from AOL.

And be aware!! If you suscribe for any free trials they always take your card number. (there is a reason!) Once the free trial is up they will then take payments via your debit or credit card. Been caught out with Experian several times!!!

Aol is the worst. we had this problem with them. in the end we told the bank that they were taking money without our consent and they got all overpayments back for us, fair do's the bank was hot on this one

Laurenbelle

I have also heard that even if you cancel your Debit Card companies can can come back through a previous authorisation code which would then link it to your bank account regardless of how many times you cancel and receive a new card.

Andy_Spoo_2

Hi all.

Does anyone know of a current petition of any kind that relates to Recurring Payments ??

If not, isn't it about time we started one?

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/

It's ridiculous that we can't stop someone from taking money from our accounts. The banks just take the Mickey whenever they can.

Andy

olly300

AnneL253 wrote: »

Had this set up by National Home Study - thought we we're just paying for one item and they keep taking money for no reason, as and when they feel like it. Has happened 4 times in last 18 months. Have always had it back previously, but have to contact them and fight for it. The latest one (July) I'm having big problems getting back. It's been promised three times, but no joy so far. I have tried disputing these with my credit card company (Tesco) each time they occur, but they say they can only cancel my card, and I would need to pay off the remainder of the balance before they will do that.
From the website, I read it as though they have a responsibility to dispute the transaction with the retailer under the Banking Code. Am I right in thinking this? Is there anything else that I can do?
Thanks.

Yes.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/recurring-payments#cancel

When you contact the companies:
1. Send your letters by recorded delivery
2. Put the title "formal complaint" on the letters

This is so that:
1. They cannot argue that they never received the letters if you need to take further action
2. They cannot argue that you are not raising a complaint
3. You have proof of when you posted them