How long can they wait before charging my card?

.Dave_4-2

I have a couple of questions that I hope somebody can help me with.

A little over 2 months ago my car broke down on the motorway. I phoned my breakdown company (not AA/RAC but some independent service that came free with the car) only to find that my cover had expired. They said they could still come and help me but they'd have to charge it to my credit card. I had little choice, so I agreed and gave them my credit card number over the phone. At that stage they couldn't tell me exactly how much it was going to cost me, but said it would be in the region of £100. Their breakdown truck came out and towed me to the garage and that was the end of the matter.

Anyway, that was back in May and they still have not charged my credit card for anything. Maybe they never will due to some mess up (I can only hope!) or maybe they will do 'one day' when I'm least expecting it. So my question is - is there a time limit in which they are entitled to charge my card? Or could I find that after say 6 months or a year they suddenly take the money?

My other question is - they've never actually told me 'how much' I owe them. Only that initial over-the-phone estimate. The only thing I signed was the breakdown truck's form that said that they towed me - no cost or figures on it anywhere. I've never been sent a bill and they've made no effort to contact me in anyway despite having my phone number and address. Are they allowed to just decide that it's going to cost x pounds and charge my card for it? Or do they have to get my permission for them to take a specific amount?

Thanks

Dave

Astaroth

You have entered into a contract with them, even if it is just a verbal one, and therefore they have 6 years under the laws of limitations.

.Dave_4-2

So does that mean that at anytime in the next 6 years they can take any money they like from my card? Even though I have never given permission for them to take a specific amount? Sounds pretty unreasonable to me!

Dave

King_Of_Fools

.Dave wrote:

So does that mean that at anytime in the next 6 years they can take any money they like from my card? Even though I have never given permission for them to take a specific amount? Sounds pretty unreasonable to me!

Essentially, yes and they can still charge the money even if you close the credit card account as you have already authorised it!

johnmoney05

Oh, I have a similar case. I paid for a shop for £600 by my credit card on 14 July using my pin and I got my receipt. There is still no sign of this amount debited from my account to date.....

lisyloo

You still owe thm the money and they have six years to collect.
Sorry but that's the law.

You have two choices.

1) Keep stum but put the money aside and DON'T spend it. After 6 years you can spend it OR if they ask for it back you can keep the interest for yourself.

2) If you don't want the hassle of waiting 6 years then get it sorted.

I don't think it's a good idea to spend it unless the amount you are talking about is something you wouldn't miss.

King_Of_Fools

johnmoney05 wrote:

Oh, I have a similar case. I paid for a shop for £600 by my credit card on 14 July using my pin and I got my receipt. There is still no sign of this amount debited from my account to date.....

I have had an electronic transaction take 3 months to appear before!

.Dave_4-2

King_Of_Fools wrote:

Essentially, yes and they can still charge the money even if you close the credit card account as you have already authorised it!

You don't seem to have answered the point that I've never actually authorised an amount. Surely they can only take money if I've agreed to a specific amount. Are they really allowed to just take however much they want without first getting me to authorise how much they're entitled to take?

King_Of_Fools

.Dave wrote:

You don't seem to have answered the point that I've never actually authorised an amount. Surely they can only take money if I've agreed to a specific amount. Are they really allowed to just take however much they want without first getting me to authorise how much they're entitled to take?

That is a good point. You agreed to a general amount of around £100. Therefore, I would expect that they would be able to charge you around that amount without problem.

However, I would still expect them to send you a separate invoice detailing the exact charge and not just bill your credit card.

Given all you have said it does sound like they have probably forgotten about it for the time being. However, I would expect that they would probably pick it up whilst doing their end-of-financial-year audit. Therefore, I would just put the money aside for the moment, earn some interest on it and not get too worried!

Every little thing’s gonna be alright!

johnmoney05

King_Of_Fools wrote:

Given all you have said it does sound like they have probably forgotten about it for the time being. However, I would expect that they would probably pick it up whilst doing their end-of-financial-year audit. Therefore, I would just put the money aside for the moment, earn some interest on it and not get too worried!

Every little thing’s gonna be alright!

Hmmm....£600 credit left in the credit card account every month, just in case the transaction shows up any day, then over my credit limit...I might be better off call the shop to see what is going on...

bargains83

I made a transaction for electronic goods that was completed over 9 monhs ago and it has failed to materialise on my account as of yet. The company must not keep very good accounts. The transaction was for >£400 so surely they most notice this is missing?.