Bank made payments on my obsolete debit card

chrissieslade

Can anyone help please?
I run a B&B and in October 2006 paid for advertising on an American accommodation directory with my Debit card. In October 2007 the same amount was debited from my account. This debit card was made obsolete in February 2008. In subsequent Octobers 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 the annual payments have continued to be debited from my account using the obsolete card. The first payment was made from my private bank account simply because I had not yet set up the Business bank account. I am guilty of not checking my personal bank statements on a regular basis. I am also guilty of not reading the T&C’s properly of the Accommodation site – which states that payments will be collected on an annual basis until such time that I cancel the registration. I have never received any notifications from this company to say they were about to debit my account. I have never received a receipt of payment. My bank has never contacted me or queried this payment being made on the obsolete card. I have never set up a standing order for this company with the bank. The bank says that because the original payment was set up using a debit card related to my bank account, it is irrelevant that the actual card is no longer in use. Is the bank wrong to have continued paying these payments? – truly without my knowledge.

dunstonh

This debit card was made obsolete in February 2008.

What do you mean by obsolete? Do you mean it expired?

In subsequent Octobers 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 the annual payments have continued to be debited from my account using the obsolete card.

continuous payments do not use the expiry date on the card.

I am guilty of not checking my personal bank statements on a regular basis. I am also guilty of not reading the T&C’s properly of the Accommodation site – which states that payments will be collected on an annual basis until such time that I cancel the registration.

Yes you are.

I have never received any notifications from this company to say they were about to debit my account.

They dont need to on continuous payments.

I have never received a receipt of payment.

They dont need to on continuous payments.

My bank has never contacted me or queried this payment being made on the obsolete card.

The bank wouldnt know as continuous payments dont require the date.

I have never set up a standing order for this company with the bank.

It isnt a standing order.

The bank says that because the original payment was set up using a debit card related to my bank account, it is irrelevant that the actual card is no longer in use. Is the bank wrong to have continued paying these payments? – truly without my knowledge.

The bank is correct. The payments were made with your knowledge. You just forgot. Sorry.

roonaldo

the bank didn't make the payments, you did. you need to cancel the subscription.

im not sure why you think the bank should contact you. Banks don't contact customers for every payment made.

chrissieslade

many thanks for your replies.
it's just that I cannot understand how a debit card that has expired can continue to be used. Companies where I have an account, ie. amazon and PayPal notify when a card is refused because it has expired - and I cannot be the only one: when you have got to the grocery checkout to pay and the card is declined because it is out of date.
thanks again - i'll put it down to experience.:)

dunstonh

it's just that I cannot understand how a debit card that has expired can continue to be used.

The expiry date does not apply on continuous payment authorities. It only applies on ad-hoc transactions.

Companies where I have an account, ie. amazon and PayPal notify when a card is refused because it has expired - and I cannot be the only one: when you have got to the grocery checkout to pay and the card is declined because it is out of date.

That is because they are used for ad hoc transactions. Not continuous payments.