Closed account reopened by them!!!

Pipster01 · 30 August 2011 at 12:18PM

Hi, please help. I had an account with La Redoute which I closed in late November 2010. I am now being sent default notices and being told I owe money for an insurance service they added to my account in May. They tell me they sold me this on behalf of another company back in 2008 and it is automatically renewed every year. But my account was closed with them last year and they argue it was closed until this payment was renewed. So my account wasn't closed by them even though they admit it was but now it isn't????? They are contradicting themselves when I speak to them and not making any sense. They want the money on an account I closed and they reopened!! I didn't renew this policy and have never used it. What do I do, apparently debt collectors are next they tell me!
What would have happened if I'd moved, I would have been chased for a debt, no doubt with hundreds of pounds added to it and not even been aware of it because I believed my account was closed. The people I've spoken to are so rude and unhelpful and just repeat the same things. Yes I know this poloicy has renewed but how can something be added to a closed account, surely they should have blocked it and the company could have contacted me. I didn't even think as its something I've never used and I guess I must have agreed to it at some point, musn't I?????

fluffnutter · 30 August 2011 at 1:45PM

The account and the insurance policy are two separate things. In closing your account, you didn't, unfortunately, cancel the insurance. Argue that you didn't agree to the insurance service, that you neither wanted it or knew you had it, and they're to cease chasing you for a debt you don't feel you owe. Put it all in writing and send it recorded delivery.

These 'automatic' insurances amount to little more than a scam. Technically you'll have signed up for it, and legally they can probably demand the money, but stand your ground because the way they go about these things is nothing short of unfair, sly and designed to screw money out of unsuspecting customers. Be prepared for a fight though - they might try to take you to court.