wentworth / cashoo scammers; getting refunds

dakky

In a moment of despair earlier this year looking for loans, I ended up giving my debit card details to the above companies. They both took 'membership fees' of £67.70 and £69.

I think one of them might have made the charge clear, but one of them certainly hid it in small print.

Anyways as soon as I realised that it was all a big scam, I did some googling and wrote to them both, recorded delivery.


"
I am writing to request the cancellation of your services which is within 14 days of payment of the administration fee of £69.

This is as per your terms and conditions on page [link to their relevant t&c page]

“Under Financial Services (Distance Marketing) Regulations 2004 you have a right to cancel your application within 14 days of receiving these terms and conditions and receive repayment of the fee. If you wish to cancel your application, you must write to Wentworth Direct Finance notifying us. In this event the amount will be returned within 30 days of the date on which we receive your written request to cancel your application.”

I trust that you will deal with this as soon as possible and I look forwards to your speedy reply."


This was in May and I received no reply from either company.

What is my next step for getting a refund? I will take take them to court happily. I wish to persue this as I have a bit more time on my hands than I did, and also due to principal.

Thanks for any help!

geoffky

find out who regulates them and complain to them..

CHR15

You didn't hear after 30 days so your next step was a Formal Complaint to them (in the T&C's).
You have to wait 8 weeks for a response to a formal complaint.

Don't put up with ANY waffle. They will claim never to have received it, which is why you sent it recorded. Ignore their excuses.

Once the 8 weeks are up, escalate it to the FOS (they will most likely have refunded you by then).

If you sent your letter within the 14 days you are entitled to a FULL refund. Outside of 14 days they are entitled to retain £5 - Don't let them turn you over.

nikkifrommars

Contact the OFT (Office of Fair Trading) and ask for them to deal with the matter as soon as it is over 8 weeks. I have recently been scammed by Wentworth Direct, same as you. They will be looking at a letter from me very soon. The OFT have 93% of upheld claims against this company - I believe this is the highest percentage of upheld claims against any company at the moment. Let me know how it goes and when I know will post on here. As far as I am currently aware they will not make any refunds unless you do escalate it to this level. Just out of interest I found the company and applied for a loan (have bad credit rating and am trying to sort out my finances) They are listed on some very official looking price comparison sites, along with other reputable companies, and when I looked at replying I did about a days research looking for reviews - google only showing favorable ones at that time - due no doubt to an employee of theirs altering the hit ratings of favorable sites and posting favorable reviews. Having checked back today - over 2 weeks later and have just found some that are absolutely appalling - lots of complaints - no refunds etc etc. once burned never again. Also people are having to cancel bank cards as they are later taking money out again - in some cases substantially later. May have to call my bank - nuisance