Help!! Robbed by Endsleigh and its not my policy!!

dawnie_1066

A couple of months ago a friend was setting up car insurance online in his name but because he didnt have a debit card asked if he could use mine to pay the initial deposit.
All the Direct Debit details were in his name I didnt forsee a problem so I checked the Endsleigh website Q&As to see if that were possible and it said yes so long as the new policy holder had my permission.
Everything went fine he got his policy he gave me the cash he was happy I was happy to help.

Until today when I noticed that all my weekly tax credits had disappeared from my account I am a carer for my disabled daughter and rely on this weekly money for shopping.
I went to see my bank who have told me Endsleigh Insurance had taken the money I dont have any policies with Endsleigh so thought it was odd so I phoned Endsleigh who after a very long phone call told me that my friend had cancelled his insurance and they were taking the payment owed by him from the card used to pay the deposit I explained that he had only borrowed my card but they were really not interested as they had their money - My question is IS THIS LEGAL??

I have contacted my friend who told me he did cancel the insurance as he lost his job and had to sell his car 3 weeks ago he is in no position to reimburse me at present and I am really at my wits end I have been left with no money for food shopping or electric or gas until next week and dont know what to do..... HELP

Surely the debt belongs to him and not me so how can Endsleigh take this money from me its like theft...

Valli

Endsleigh have taken the money from the account used to set up the policy. Unfortunately, that was your account.

By what method did your 'friend' cancel the policy?

From the Endsleigh site

CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD TRANSACTIONS
We retain the credit and debit card details you provide to us after payment has been made. This assists in reducing credit card fraud and enables us, where appropriate, to make any necessary refunds or collect any additional premiums or charges for any product you have purchased by credit or debit card either back to or from the credit or debit card account used to make the initial purchase.

dawnie_1066

But that was only to pay the deposit not the direct debits it didnt say on Endsleighs Q&As that in case of cancellation we will take money from the debit card used to pay the deposit I wasnt acting as a guarantor or I wouldnt have lent the card.

mikey72

No, it's not legal, Ensleigh are aware of this.
They like to try it on, so contact your bank, tell them it was unauthorised, and tell them you want them to do a charge back.
They may try not to initially, but once you convince them you are serious, they will.

mikey72

No, a third party card cannot be used by endsleigh without further authority, the contract only applies if the card was owned by the policyholder. It wasn't here, so endsleigh cannot legally charge to it a second time.

Valli

dawnie_1066 wrote: »

But that was only to pay the deposit not the direct debits it didnt say on Endsleighs Q&As that in case of cancellation we will take money from the debit card used to pay the deposit I wasnt acting as a guarantor or I wouldnt have lent the card.

But thay DO say they will refund to the account or take further payments FROM it; which could have served as a warning to you.

How did your friend cancel - or did he merely 'stop' paying?

As Mikey says, initiate a chargeback.

dawnie_1066

Thanks Mikey thats what I thought but they told me they would not do a refund I have contacted my bank regarding a chargeback but they are telling me this could take a week or so which in the meantime leaves me with very little money.
I am really disappointed that companies can do this when quite clearly the card is not in the name of the policyholder or the same address it needs sorting out Im sure Im not the only person this has happened to.
I just did someone a favour?? Hmmm
My friend said he cancelled by phone and was told the last payment would be collected on the 18th October.....

Valli

It's nice that you wanted to help your friend but look at the mess he has got you into. Please bear in mind that , although Endsleigh have acted illegally this friend of yours has caused you major aggro. He owes you big time IMO

DCFC79

dawnie_1066 wrote: »

Thanks Mikey thats what I thought but they told me they would not do a refund I have contacted my bank regarding a chargeback but they are telling me this could take a week or so which in the meantime leaves me with very little money.
I am really disappointed that companies can do this when quite clearly the card is not in the name of the policyholder or the same address it needs sorting out Im sure Im not the only person this has happened to.
I just did someone a favour?? Hmmm
My friend said he cancelled by phone and was told the last payment would be collected on the 18th October.....

You now know not to do it again, its the same with pay day loan companies as there has been posters who have lent a friend some money to pay the monthly payment and they take the following months payment form that card.

dawnie_1066

Yes he has been made aware of that ....:)

I really just needed confirmation that it is indeed an illegal transaction as I first thought (or at least hoped and prayed)

I dont need things like this in my life its hard enough with my daughter.

Still Endsleigh didnt care at all

Valli

dawnie_1066 wrote: »

Yes he has been made aware of that ....:)

I really just needed confirmation that it is indeed an illegal transaction as I first thought (or at least hoped and prayed)

I dont need things like this in my life its hard enough with my daughter.

Still Endsleigh didnt care at all

They wouldn't - they wanted money, and, for now, they have got it.