PLS HELP!! Acacia Pills Scam

KDC

Hope this is the right place to ask this question and hope somebody can put our minds at rest.

My boyfriend applied for the free trial of Acacia pills via an advert on his computer couple of weeks ago. I didn't realize it was a scam until a was reading on this website (but now I can't find where the discussion was).

I know he was daft - I've already told him that and he feels really stupid now. Anyway, he gave his debit card number for p&p and cancelled his card within 2 days of me telling him about the scam. He explained it to his bank and they recommended scrapping his card and getting a new one.

Only the p&p was deducted from his old debit card and he's received 2 packages (as per the advert). He's now worried that they will still be able to access money via his new debit card even though they don't have the card number !! Is this right? Can that be done??

Any help or reassurance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

ellay864

They shouldn't be able to. I foolishly ended up taking out a Sky warranty with a well known and I realised afterwards, very bad reuptation company. When it was approaching renewal I rang to cancel and was told they had already tried to take payment but had failed as my debit card had been re-issued (purely good fortune as it genuinely expired). If you're really worried you could contact your bank and make sure no monies are taken from your card or direct from your account

McKneff

Did he also cancel with the company he got the free trial from.

If he didnt, he will still be liable as he has entered a contract witht the company and they can still chase him for the debt if he didnt cance.

Its not a scam, you sign up for a free trial and then either do nothing to keep it going or cancel the agreement before the first direct debit or SO is due out.

Its just clever marketing, like thousands of other companies they rely on people forgetting to cancel.

'Which' do it, sign up for 3 monts free trial.

Experian etc do it, sign up for one month free trial.

But you have to remember to cancel, its the customers responsibility.

KDC

Thanks both of you. Not sure if he's cancelled with the Company or not - will find out later.
Fingers crossed!

Cheers again.

jenniewb

Agree companies can be crafty with direct debits and etc but not sure why they are a 'scam', did you guys not get the goods?

BLT_2

jenniewb wrote: »

Agree companies can be crafty with direct debits and etc but not sure why they are a 'scam', did you guys not get the goods?

Apart from the fact that the jury is still out on acacia products its not a scam other than the fact that any suckers who take out these offers will end up paying an enormous amount for total crap.

OP, I would put the postage and packing charge down as a stupidity tax. Please rush straight down to Toys R Us and buy your boyfriend an V Tech kiddies learning centre, he's too stupid to be allowed near a real computer.

moneydad25

I would say take advice from your bank, they will have the best experience in dealing with this sort of thing. However, as a general rule, I'd say
1-contact the company and cancel all dd's/so's with them. Also ask for your/his details to be removed from their database.
2-Cancel dd's/so's with the bank.
3-Change debit card so that old number no longer exists.