Can I clain back GuardCard charges?

jenski44

Hi
I have just found out that CardGuard have been taking money from my account despite my cancelling direct debit years and calling them to cancel. Just called them and they said they had no record of this.
Was so long ago and I have no actual 'proof', however remember doing it as it was a really long and difficult process to cancel!
Can I claim any of this money back? I know it's not PPI but I believe it was missold to me as I was very young when I got it and they 'scared' me into signing up for it (told me that if I didn't and my card was stolen I would potentially lose hundreds of pounds)
Any tips/advice appreciated.
Thanks

lisyloo

I have just found out that CardGuard have been taking money from my account despite my cancelling direct debit years and calling them to cancel.

How did they take your money if you cancelled your direct debit?

but I believe it was missold to me

You could make a complaint about mis-selling.

jenski44

They just took the amount from my credit card!

lisyloo

[They just took the amount from my credit card!

Ok, this is not a direct debit. Direct debits come from current accounts and you can cancel them.
This is a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA) which you cannot unilaterally cancel. You have to cancel with the retailer.

It's find it rather odd odd that you did not follow up or notice that the payments were occurring after going to so much trouble with the very difficult cancellation process.

I think it will be impossible to prove you cancelled if you did it over the phone. Any phone recordings will be long gone.

You could make a complaint about mis-selling.
You need to follow the formal complaints procedure.

In future you might want to consider avoiding CPA and also using paper and recorded delivery for cancellations rather than the phone.

jenski44

It used to come from by main bank account and I removed a 'standing order' I think is what it was called.
As the amounts no longer cam from my main account I thought it was cleared. I didn't notice it on my credit card as I have normally got a lot going through it, however this year balance finally at 0 so noticed it went through on 20th May.

lisyloo

It used to come from by main bank account and I removed a 'standing order'

Ah ok.
You still need to cancel the contract with the retailer (which you did but they claim you didn't).
They have used their rights in the small print to take it from your credit card.

As the amounts no longer cam from my main account I thought it was cleared.

Just cancelling a method of payment does not cancel a contract.
You still need to cancel the contract.
Ideally you should get written confirmation or a receipt of some sort e.g. recorded delivery receipt then you can PROVE it.

however this year balance finally at 0 so noticed it went through on 20th May.

Unfortunately I don't think you will have any chance at all trying to prove you cancelled (although I believe you).
You will need to go down the mis-selling route.
You need to follow the formal complaints procedure of the organisation that sold you this and write to them.

BTW - you should check EVERY item on your credit card bill even if there is a lot.
If you can't be bothered then I'm afraid you cannot expect a lot of sympathy from others if things are missed. Sorry if that sounds harsh but if you want to not be ripped off you need to spend 10 minutes a month checking.

jenski44

No, I know you're right. I should and am kicking myself that I haven't. just working FT with a child under 2 makes these mundane but important tasks difficult to keep up to date with. Thanks for your helpful advice. I'll probably try to claim back this years within the 14 day 'coll off' and might just put the rest down to [bitter] experience!