They've taken money out of my account!

samhuzz

Hello

I'm soooo angry! :mad: Six months ago I paid for access to a family history website. Today I logged on to my bank to find that they've taken £74.95 out without asking me first! I no longer want to be a member of the site and didn't ask for them to renew it! Do you think I can get my money back as I can't really afford it at the minute, never mind the fact that I don't want access to the site any more, I only used it for about 2 months last time and haven't been on there since. If so, who would I contact to get it back, the site or the bank. It took it from a debit card.

Thanks

Sam

Esqui

Chances are a recurring subscription would have been in the terms and conditions when you signed up. That's normally how such sites work. In which case you'd have no chance.

If you can prove otherwise, however, then you may have a case...

pmduk

Did you actually cancel your membership?

samhuzz

I didn't know I had to cancel it, I just thought I wouldn't be able to get access to it again once it expired. Then I noticed the money had gone out of my account and looked on my email, and they'd send me an email saying we've renewed your membership. I don't remember anything saying it would automatically do this, unless it was in the small print!

Indie_Kid

Doesn't it say in the terms and conditions you have to cancel it?

bryanb

Better cancel it now, before the next renewal is due

samhuzz

Thanks Bryan, really should do that, I was mad this time, if it happened again though I'd be baying for blood! :rotfl:

Oh well, if I don't get it back at least I've learnt a lesson, and they won't ever get any money from me again, if I take genealogy up again I definitely won't use them.

Poppycat

One of the well known sites does state its recurring quite a few people have fallen for this so you are not alone

I dont agree that companies should do this but it seems many now do. Whilst they may state I suspect the main reason is to keep repeat custom

Freddie_Snowbits

samhuzz wrote: »

Hello

I'm soooo angry! :mad: Six months ago I paid for access to a family history website. Today I logged on to my bank to find that they've taken £74.95 out without asking me first! I no longer want to be a member of the site and didn't ask for them to renew it! Do you think I can get my money back as I can't really afford it at the minute, never mind the fact that I don't want access to the site any more, I only used it for about 2 months last time and haven't been on there since. If so, who would I contact to get it back, the site or the bank. It took it from a debit card.

Thanks

Sam

One beggars disbelief how companys like this continue to trade. How on earth did they get hold of your bank details?

I would get Trading Standards involved and hopefully the Gendarmerie will soon have these scammers breaking stones on Portland Bill.

david39

How on earth did they get hold of your bank details?[/QUOTE]

The OP said that they had taken a 6-month subscription at the outset, so they would have his bank details from then. And it is hardly a scam, if the practice is provided for in the T&Cs.

The problem is that people do not read the T&Cs properly when they sign up to offers on the internet - you should always read the fine print when committing your self to any type of payment on-line. As the OP says, it's a lesson learned and hopefully others will be warned by his posting.

This auto-repeat subscription is widely used in the insurance business to make certain that insurance policies are continuous and not subject to lapse because of forgetfulness on the part of the policy holder.
I expect what looked like a good idea in that industry has been adopted by other businesses for less altruistic motives.