Unauthorised payment, please help!

princess_sarah

Hi, this is the first time I have posted here but I would appreciate any advice you can give.
Basically, 12 months ago I gave permision for a friend to use my credit card to make a one off payment for car insurance with Budget. He was called to see if he wanted to renew and he said no as the cost was too high but then today I found out that they renewed it anyway and then took a large sum of money from my credit card without my permision. As I have neither given written ( I didn't sign anything) nor verbal permission for this surely this is illegal?
I have cancelled my card but the company has said they will not reemburse my card untill the paperwork is recieved and they will be taking out a cancellation fee of £40. I would have never given permission for this as it could also affect the terms of my 0% interest for a balance transfer. Can they do this? I have complained to my credit card company and have started the process of a dispute and have written to the insurance company.
Any advice is appreciated, thanks in advance

McKneff

The original terms and conditions would have stated that the policy was on auto renew, most are nowadays, sorry, but I think your friend is telling porkies. You did give them permission, when you paid it last year, again it will be in the T&Cs
Insurance companies dont call to ask if you want to renew, they do just everything in writing. He has probably forgotten that he received it and it has just gone through automatically.

Hope it all works out for you.

princess_sarah

No I was actually present during the phone call, the company said "it has records of the call but no outcome was recorded" He was advised to send the paperwork back when he recieved it but instead of a "quote" he got a thanks for paying letter.

McKneff

My apoloies, then in that case.

Hope your card company can sort it out for you.