getting dodgy charge back

glider26

Hi,

Earlier today my wife (in my absence) used our joint credit card to pay for a EHIC card. These should be free from the NHS for European travel, but my wife Googled it and though she should've known better, she ended up paying £20 for the card from some unofficial website in Luxembourg rather than officially (and free) through the NHS. I don't even know if we'll get the card. I went to this dodgy website in search for a refund but of course it says that the charge is non-refundable and there's no number to call.

I was upset and called the credit card company to ask for a refund. They asked whether the payment had been made by a named cardholder. The truthful answer would have been "yes" but since I was after a refund, I said that no, the payment had been made by our daughter who was not authorised to do so. To my surprise they then said that along with cancelling the payment they would also have to cancel the cards and issue us with new ones.

I now wonder whether I should call them back and say "look, it was my wife who made the payment, not our daughter" or if I should just leave things as they are, the end justifying the means. Could there be a negative outcome from this, like an effect on our credit score or other? The company which took the £20 is def dodgy and not deserving of any money.

HappyMJ

Just leave it...you'll get your £20 back and new cards.

inmypocketnottheirs

Two things come to mind.

Firstly leave things as they are as you won't now be able to uncancel the cancellation of the cards.

Secondly you may well still get the cards. Just because a company charges information that is freely available, that isn't a crime. There s no legislation in place to protect people from their own stupidity.

meer53

If the card issuer refunds you as a gesture of goodwill and doesnt charge the transaction back then you'll be ok. However, if they charge it back it will probably reject as the rejection will show your wifes details and they will redebit you.

The company isn't dodgy, they provide a service which your wife has used and which they charge for. It was her choice. If you're lucky the card issuer will just refund you.

FireWyrm

glider26 wrote: »

While I appreciate the advice, the company is dodgy as they are deceptively selling a service which is free. Nowhere on their site does it say that they are merely a forwarding service and that they do not actually supply EHIC cards. .

Credit Expert sells a 'service' which you could get for a nominal charge too. There's nothing dodgy about it. Caveat Emptor.

You however were dishonest and instead of simply swallowing the £20 charge, or going via legitimate channels for a refund, you lied to the bank. They may put a CIFAS marker on your record for your trouble and that will most definitely cost you in the long run.

The_Boss

glider26 wrote: »

I was upset and called the credit card company to ask for a refund. They asked whether the payment had been made by a named cardholder. The truthful answer would have been "yes" but since I was after a refund, I said that no, the payment had been made by our daughter who was not authorised to do so. To my surprise they then said that along with cancelling the payment they would also have to cancel the cards and issue us with new ones.

I now wonder whether I should call them back and say "look, it was my wife who made the payment, not our daughter" or if I should just leave things as they are, the end justifying the means. Could there be a negative outcome from this, like an effect on our credit score or other? The company which took the £20 is def dodgy and not deserving of any money.

I hope so, given your fraudulant behaviour

The_pc_tech

Google is fine for research but always check out the company you intend to do business with before carrying out a transaction as Google is an automated web index so the links aren't vetted.

Your card issuer has cancelled your cards to protect themselves and you from further losses.

[Deleted User]

glider26 wrote: »

Hi,

They asked whether the payment had been made by a named cardholder. The truthful answer would have been "yes" but since I was after a refund, I said that no, the payment had been made by our daughter who was not authorised to do so.

You can't 'undo' the wrong information that you've already given, so I suggest do nothing - what's done now is done and as previously mentioned if you do 'own up', although the honest thing to do may cost you in the long run.

You may want to ask yourself though - "What is the price of a good conscience"? Personally I take the view that honesty is the best policy ...:A

ChrisCostCutter

Daft lying to the bank over £20! Why not just take the hit and deal with the stupidity of your wife!

bengal-stripe

glider26 wrote: »

.....I went to this dodgy website in search for a refund.....

.....The truthful answer would have been "yes" but since I was after a refund, I said that no.....

As far as "dodgy" is concerned, seems to be a case of pot-kettle-black! :D:D

Blackpool_Saver

two things really, firstly you speak of your wife in a very patronising way, and secondly you shouldn't be lying to banks