Unauthorised Debit Transactions

FIK

Hello

I am after some help and advice. A company called streamline.net took money from me without permission and will not give it back. . Part of the terms and condition means you must have a valid debit or credit card regestered with them. I had sent.

I used to host 5 domains and now host 4 with them. They billed me for the domain I cancelled after I cancelled it. They also billed me for hosting 20 accouts for 2 years, after I said I would be closing my account. They said I made a request to upgrade my account through their control pannel.

I have writen proof of my request to cancel the 1 domain and also the writen proof of my wish to terminate the account. They have refused to refund me.

I went to the bank (Nationwide). Initially I was told that it was nothing to do with them by the teller and then by the supervisor. I then asked to speak with the manager. The manager was not to helpfull either. I said I would like to treat it as theft or fraud. It is taking money from me without my permission?

My basic question is what is the easiest/best way to get my money back. Its very stressfull

Weirdlittleman

FIK wrote: »

Hello

I am after some help and advice. A company called streamline.net took money from me without permission and will not give it back. . Part of the terms and condition means you must have a valid debit or credit card regestered with them. I had sent.

I used to host 5 domains and now host 4 with them. They billed me for the domain I cancelled after I cancelled it. They also billed me for hosting 20 accouts for 2 years, after I said I would be closing my account. They said I made a request to upgrade my account through their control pannel.

I have writen proof of my request to cancel the 1 domain and also the writen proof of my wish to terminate the account. They have refused to refund me.

I went to the bank (Nationwide). Initially I was told that it was nothing to do with them by the teller and then by the supervisor. I then asked to speak with the manager. The manager was not to helpfull either. I said I would like to treat it as theft or fraud. It is taking money from me without my permission?

My basic question is what is the easiest/best way to get my money back. Its very stressfull

Well it isnt theft or fraud.
If it was a credit card or visa debit contact the banks chargebacks department who will investigate.

They will only refund though if you are entitled and not because you misunderstood what you signed too.

Freddie_Snowbits

If you run a business, I would sack your accountant for letting this happen.

FIK

Thanks for your help. I have contacted my local trading standards and they are going to help. I have shown them all my paper work and the terms and conditions. They informed me that that streamline.net are known to them for this behaviour and that I will get my money back. Apparently the terms and conditions are not even legal. I was fairly shocked when I googled streamline. There is 100s of stories like mine. Surely they should be closed down for continually doing this. It is kind of theft as they are billing people for things without permission.

I do have a small, small business and do my own accounts:-)

lamialex

Hello,

I just had a very similar problem with them 2 weeks ago!!!
Streamline.net took £80 from my account without telling me. I had a call from my bank to enquire if this payment was genuine which is how I discovered what they had just done.

It was for the 2 years renewal of my webhosting and yes when reading more carefully the terms and conditions (stupid me for not doing this 2 years ago!!!) it was written that they could just take the money if the account wasn't cancelled at least 7 days before renewing.

I never thought a company would be allowed to do that!
On top of that they put the prices up by £30!!!! And never got an email for that either...

I contacted them and obvioulsy they said they had sent an email a month ago which is a big lie, they don't want to refund me the money and close my account obviously...

I didn't think it was worth fighting for this money but now reading this thread, I'm wondering if I shouldn't contact my local Trading Standards office. Do they charge money for helping you?
And please keep us updated with you case.:)
Good luck with it!!!

Alexandra

unholyangel

lamialex wrote: »

On top of that they put the prices up by £30!!!! And never got an email for that either...

I contacted them and obvioulsy they said they had sent an email a month ago which is a big lie, they don't want to refund me the money and close my account obviously...

How long after they took the money did you notice in your bank? Also, how long ago was this?

What exactly are their terms and conditions around cancelling? By rights, they need to give you adequate notice to cancel the contract otherwise its unfair contract terms. I'm not sure whether the email gets them off the hook from this as email is not always regarded as a means of official communication

lamialex

They took the money on the 12th. My bank only told me this on the 22nd unfortunately.
And in their terms and conditions Streamline.net gives no less than 7 days prior to the anniversary date of the contract term to cancel your account.
I never had a problem with them before but just because of this, they are a company to avoid!!!

RadoJo

In fairness, I believe most web hosting services auto renew because people generally want to maintain their sites without interruption - I don't think that this is grounds for complaint, whilst the OP's situation was slightly different.

FIK

Streamline.net and Dolamore group are not a normal group. I looked back and found seven unknown charges I had not asked for. I was pursing them for just over £187 but it turns out its closer to £500.

I am getting there. Its hassle I don't need but money I do. Trading Standard told me it is up to them to prove I asked for services. I know I did not. I also have writen proof of cancelling most of the stuff they refuse to refund. The guy at trading standard said keep hasseling them and keep writing to them. They will pay up eventually! I think they have worked out most people give up because of the hassle. you can tell they way they write and when you phone that they are used to this.

My advice is hassle them and use trading standards.