Equifax Taking Money Out of My Bank Account

angel_islington

wealdroam wrote: »

This is clearly the case being discussed in this thread, isn't it?

JoshiF wrote: »

I cancelled the Trial after obtaining my Credit Reference as the freebie, and before the month trial ended.

Clearly not.

Forwandert

angel_islington wrote: »

Clearly not.

Completely wrong. Yes they signed up for the trial but at the same time signed up to identity watch which is free for 12 months then £2.99 per month. Op cancelled the free trial but not the identity watch so for the last 12 months identity watch has still been on their account and until they cancel it the £2.99 monthly charge will still be charged.

JoshiF

wealdroam wrote: »

My logic?
I offered no logic.

It may well have been the intention of the applicant that the relationship ended at the end of the free trial, but that isn't necessarily what they signed up to.

People who take out free trials have been known to agree to a relationship beyond the end of the free trial.

This is clearly the case being discussed in this thread, isn't it?

"Wealdroam" is skipping aside from the main point: the main point is that Equifax should care enough about their clients and about their own reputation for transparency (and even, God forbid, "helpfulness".)

"Not caring," really does mean that.

Now ... how do I Multi-quote on this forum ... ? Never mind, I'll do the quotation myself:

"Originally Posted by wealdroam
No, don't worry. You will not be required to pay any compensation for your mistake."

Wiser heads would not jump to such a overly critical conclusion: I actually had a telephone conversation with the Equifax representative as I closed my free trial. I asked that worthy if the Email alerts service was going to cost me money. That worthy assured me that it would not.

They then added that should I, after the 12 month (Free alerts), trial was up ... then I would start getting charged for the alerts -- should I still want them.

That was their word. I replied, "So, I will not get charged?" And, that Equifax worthy said, "No, you will not get charged."

So, satisfied, I said "Thanks for your advice. Bye now." And hung up.

At no time did I "accept" any Equifax "offer". This fact will stand in court. And the fact that Equifax has been taking money out of my account without any fore-notice, speaks volumes of their intent and their regard of their clients or customers.

So yes, "Wealdroam", yes nasty little comment about my not needing to pay compensation for my mistake, was nothing but that: an unhelpful, hasty, nasty little pre-judgement of no value whatsoever. I may write back to report on how it went for myself with regard to compensation and getting my money back -- but, then again, I might not. I afraid that some vicious minded person will again jump down my throat with some twisted comment aimed at myself, which is no help whatsoever.

pandaspot

I have just discovered that they have been taking £2.99 from me since September. When I cancelled my free trial they didn't tell me I would start getting charged. I had the free trial in August 2010, I rang them and cancelled and activated my access I get free (well in a way, i pay for it, with bank costs)with natwest. They never said I would start getting charged a year down the line.

I am ringing them today about it.

Did you get your money back?

StaffsSW

But equifax were promoted by Martin Lewis a number of times - surely he would not promote such a dubious business, even if they do offer a healthy affiliate kickback to him....? ;-)

I guess these hidden payment clauses are how they can afford to pay affiliates like Martin Lewis thousands in commission for what is supposedly a "free" credit check. Maybe Mr Moneysavingexpert should take a little more responsibility in the products he promotes for his own gain.

pandaspot

Well funny enough I was thinking that. Why weren't we told that we would be moved on to this equifax lite thing. £2.99 isn't a lot but when there are companies like noodle that offer free credit reports, scores and alerts, why pay

wealdroam

JoshiF wrote: »

I actually had a telephone conversation with the Equifax representative as I closed my free trial. I asked that worthy if the Email alerts service was going to cost me money. That worthy assured me that it would not.

They then added that should I, after the 12 month (Free alerts), trial was up ... then I would start getting charged for the alerts -- should I still want them.

That was their word. I replied, "So, I will not get charged?" And, that Equifax worthy said, "No, you will not get charged."

So, satisfied, I said "Thanks for your advice. Bye now." And hung up.

Wait a minute... are you telling us that the Equifax person you spoke to on the phone advised you that after twelve months you would be charged?
If so, then what are you complaining about?

JoshiF wrote: »

At no time did I "accept" any Equifax "offer".

You almost certainly did accept their offer of a year's free trial of Equifax's Indentity Watch service... at the time you took out the 'one month's cashback trial'.

JoshiF wrote: »

This fact will stand in court.

I imagine they have more evidence that you did agree to being charged after one year, than you do that you didn't.

JoshiF wrote: »

And the fact that Equifax has been taking money out of my account without any fore-notice, speaks volumes of their intent and their regard of their clients or customers.

But you told us yourself, in your most recent post, that the Equifax representative...

JoshiF wrote: »

...added that should I, after the 12 month (Free alerts), trial was up ... then I would start getting charged for the alerts...

Re-read post #2. the explanation is there.

Easypd

Ok, I have a question.

If I did the trial and inadvertently gave authorisation to take funds in 12 months

time then within the 12 month period I receive a new card, how can they take my money?

The card number will be the same, but the start, expiry date and security code will surely be different?

This is robbery. Very few would actually want the service and they are relying on people not remembering a conversation from 12months ago. I cannot remember, but can categorically state I would not have taken the trial knowing it was a trial. And would've cancelled.

Must be soul destroying working in their call centre taking so many calls from people who think they were scammed...

Easypd

May 9th 2012, I received the following:

Your card details will expire in 30 days
Log in and update
Dear Jamie,
Recently, you've been relying on Equifax Identity Watch Lite to help you guard against ID theft. Unfortunately, our records show the payment details we have for you are about to expire.
To continue your subscription, log in to the Member Centre and update your payment details today.
Updating couldn't be simpler. When you log in, you'll be taken automatically to an update screen where you can securely enter your card details and renew your subscription.
You only have 30 days to update your payment details, so act now.
Many thanks,
The Equifax team

…………………….................................

I did not respond or reply and definitely did not give new card details. SO HOW HAVE THEY TAKEN TWO PAYMENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST?!

wealdroam

jamiepullen wrote: »

Ok, I have a question.

If I did the trial and inadvertently gave authorisation to take funds in 12 months time then within the 12 month period I receive a new card, how can they take my money?

The card number will be the same, but the start, expiry date and security code will surely be different?

This is robbery. Very few would actually want the service and they are relying on people not remembering a conversation from 12months ago. I cannot remember, but can categorically state I would not have taken the trial knowing it was a trial. And would've cancelled.

Must be soul destroying working in their call centre taking so many calls from people who think they were scammed...

jamiepullen wrote: »

May 9th 2012, I received the following:

Your card details will expire in 30 days
Log in and update
Dear Jamie,
Recently, you've been relying on Equifax Identity Watch Lite to help you guard against ID theft. Unfortunately, our records show the payment details we have for you are about to expire.
To continue your subscription, log in to the Member Centre and update your payment details today.
Updating couldn't be simpler. When you log in, you'll be taken automatically to an update screen where you can securely enter your card details and renew your subscription.
You only have 30 days to update your payment details, so act now.
Many thanks,
The Equifax team

…………………….................................

I did not respond or reply and definitely did not give new card details. SO HOW HAVE THEY TAKEN TWO PAYMENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST?!

It really is quite simple.

You did not respond to their request to update your card details, so they used the details they already had on file.
Your bank (or credit card co) decided that this was ok and allowed the payment.

Why didn't you treat their email about you card details expiring as a warning that you needed to cancel your agreement?

Just ignoring details about the payment method does not mean the agreement just disappears.

Oh and by the way... it is not robbery.

Have you now cancelled your agreement?