Is there a time limit on companies taking money for an order on your Credit card?

jaxo

I was just about to report a fraudulent amount on my credit card from a company I ordered from back in October 2010.
I assumed I'd paid, they took two payments, the order was shipped in two parts, some of the order wasn't going to be restocked so omitted from the order and payments. I assumed It was all paid up.

They have now only just charged me for postage and 1p. (which, going over the receipts is exactly what I owe them)

But after 4 months? Is there a time limit? No email or communications from the company.
I was getting stressed and really thinking this is the beginning of testing my card and fraud!

Is this quite legal? It seems a strange mistake to make and some warning from the company would have been nice.

[Deleted User]

6 years is the limit, I believe.

izools

Indeed. The retailer has made good on a part of the contract of sale ergo they can enforce payment upto six years from the contract date (date on which you placed the order).

Quite legal

chattychappy

Yes - 6 years to claim the money from you - the usual limitation period under contract law. Unless, of course, something was agreed subsequently or in some way you didn't authorise a further charge.

There may be something in the merchant agreement that stops them putting a charge through long after the event and/or technical limitations may prevent it - but that is between the merchant and their provider. If something prevented them, then they could probably come to you directly for the money.

jaxo

Ok, thanks people. I just don't understand why they under charged me at the time. Their mistake for some reason.
For a small amount that I didn't notice at the time. It's a bit out of the blue!