RewardsFirst

jevban

Hi

I was checking my online bank statement earlier today and noticed that a company called Rewards First have been merrily taking £14.95 from my account since Feb 2011, increasing that to £17.95 this month -this being the payment that came to my attention. I had not recognised the payment at all, and when talking to my online bank and looking back over statements, realised the length of time the payments had been leaving my account. I have never knowingly signed up to this site, having looked it up on the web, it appears to offer discounts for all manner of things. The bank cant help or discuss this till Monday at the earliest as the debit card section are closed till then, as is the customer service dept of Rewards First. When I tried to access the website of the company it tells you that you can cancel any subscription, even if you dont have your membership number, and asks for your phone number as verification...it does not appear to recongise mine or my post code. what are my rights in this? The total taken over time is in excess of £180. My bank says I may have inadvertenly ticked a box, or failed to untick a box when purchasing goods at an ealier time. I am bemused as to how I've missed this as I check my account every month to check for anything untoward, but have to admit its usually bigger amounts I keep a look out for, any advice please?

thanks

Jan

misssarahleigh

First get the bank to cancel the direct debit.

I would then call the company, explain you have no knowledge of them and ask how they got your details and for proof you agreed to whatever they are taking the money for and take it from there.

[Deleted User]

jevban wrote: »

Hi

My bank says I may have inadvertenly ticked a box, or failed to untick a box when purchasing goods at an ealier time.

Jan

I agree that this seems the most likely explanation and would also explain why they have your account details to debit. If this is the case not sure what you can do to get your money back except appeal to their good (or otherwise) nature. They may argue that as the Direct Debit has been coming out for some months, you had planty of opportunity to let them know and didn't (the fact that you didn't check your statements properly is unfortunately down to you).

I am puzzled however regarding the increase of the Direct Debit without informing you first and would question this. You may be able to argue that just as they hadn't informed you of this, neither did they clearly inform you that an amount was going to come out each month (possibly at the time you thought it was a one-off payment)?

Bon chance!

timbstoke

RewardsFirst, if I remember rightly, are one of those companies that have started appearing on the checkout pages of other vendors with something like "Click here to claim your £10 voucher off your next order" - they then charge you a monthly fee for access to 'offers'

Argos and Play both use them if it's the company I'm thinking of. Very poor practice for supposedly reputable retailers.

jevban

Hi they have replied to me telling me I went onto their site via NetFlights.com and sent a sample of the form I would have seen. Still not happy as they are saying they will only offer half the money back. Have written to them again.

thanks for your reples.

Jan