SCAM! Free Time program through the post any one had this through?

sarah6573

zagfles wrote: »

No - freetime would need to supply evidence that you authorised the transaction. They can't just "insist".

Don't let your bank give you the runaround. Simply insist that you didn't authorise the transaction, they must then refund you and it's up to them (ie the bank/retailer) to prove you authorised the transaction before they can re-charge you.

I have already insisted this with the bank but it was a foreign chap I spoke to to am going in to the branch with the thread print out tomorrow as evidence that it it happening to more people than just myself. The evidence that the bank are looking for is the confidential data that space bags have sold on, freetime can say they wouldnt have that data without speaking to me first, I know I havent spoken to them or received any information from them, I will be ringing freetime daily until they have had enough of me, again I urge people to email spacebags and make them aware of the situation, the more people that get in touch with them the quicker action will have to be taken especially as they have breached data protection regulations and released confidential date to a third party without consent or knowledge...

zagfles

sarah6573 wrote: »

I have already insisted this with the bank but it was a foreign chap I spoke to to am going in to the branch with the thread print out tomorrow as evidence that it it happening to more people than just myself. The evidence that the bank are looking for is the confidential data that space bags have sold on, freetime can say they wouldnt have that data without speaking to me first, I know I havent spoken to them or received any information from them, I will be ringing freetime daily until they have had enough of me, again I urge people to email spacebags and make them aware of the situation, the more people that get in touch with them the quicker action will have to be taken especially as they have breached data protection regulations and released confidential date to a third party without consent or knowledge...

Card details aren't "confidential" as they are printed on the card, which every retailer you use can look at. It doesn't matter that freetime have your full card number and CV2 number, they still can't charge your card unless you authorised them to. Otherwise any retailer you've ever used can charge you for whatever they want whenever they want. Clearly they can't. See http://fshandbook.info/FS/html/handbook/BCOBS/5/1

You've now had a refund from your bank, and your bank will charge back to freetime. Freetime now need to prove you authorised the transaction otherwise your card will not be re-charged. Presumably they have no way of proving it, as you didn't authorise. So just relax, no need to chase freetime.

Similar has happened to me a couple of times, I never contacted the retailer, I just told the bank I didn't authorise the transactions and they refunded, never heard anything about them again.

In the very unlikely event your card is re-charged, write a letter to the bank asking what proof was supplied and take it up with the financial ombudsman if necessary (but very unlikely to come to that).

jeff.deb

I've just received the glossy magazine and noted the 99.99 removed from our account.
I've reported to the bank and this is clearly fraud.
I'll be reporting this company to trading standards, watchdog and anyone else that will listen…

Darync

Grrrr! I spoke to my bank and they had a number for them which they gave me. They called the organisation on my behalf and stated that Free Time were happy to refund I just needed to speak to them.

I called and they have agreed a refund (in 10 working days) I called them on 0844 441 2898

Lets See!

Fuming! How can they get away with this!

SteD

Freetime as with all the other names ithas been called over the years may be registered in Spain but it is all runfrom the UK. Anyone ordering Spacebags or other items that go through this CallCentre will be scammed
Pressplay Call Centre Ltd,
Benning Court,
Pottington Business Park,
Barnstaple, Devon,
EX31 1QN.
The directors of Freetime are British, Phillip Mason and Joanne Moores were resident inManchester but often visit the Barnstaple call centre.
The Spanish address given out to callers is just a mailing house used byseveral companies.

You can call the Devon call centre direct on Freephone number 0800051 2121.

Speak to Mr Scott John Cleverdon Call Centre owner
Or JennyMeredith (Scotts mum) but also works there.

zagfles

I'll say it again - people should not be contacting the retailer to ask for a refund. People should be reporting the unauthorised transaction to their bank and insist that it's an unauthorised transaction and that their bank refund.

The bank will usually try to fob you off and tell you to contact the retailer, because it makes their lives easier. But if you go to the retailer, and the retailer refunds, there is nothing to highlight that it was an unauthorised or fraudulent transaction. Refunds happen legitimately all the time for all sorts of reasons, eg returned goods.

It's like asking a pickpocket for your money back. Nothing will be done to stop them carrying on. Insist to your bank it was an unauthorised transaction, and the retailer will get a chargeback, and if it happens often enough they'll get their card handing facilities withdrawn.

nclapton

I appear to have been scammed by Free time/Spacebags.

I am really careful about selecting "nomail/no passing details" on things so confident I did not authorise anything but Free time sent me details of my "free 30 day trial" at the end of the 30 days!

I contacted them and was told it was cancelled and nothing would be taken and then 6 days later they have taken £99.99.

I have reported it as fraud to the bank and got to register a dispute tomorrow but not feeling hopeful.

Anyone ever get the £ back?

SteD

zagfles wrote: »

I'll say it again - people should not be contacting the retailer to ask for a refund. People should be reporting the unauthorised transaction to their bank and insist that it's an unauthorised transaction and that their bank refund.

The bank will usually try to fob you off and tell you to contact the retailer, because it makes their lives easier. But if you go to the retailer, and the retailer refunds, there is nothing to highlight that it was an unauthorised or fraudulent transaction. Refunds happen legitimately all the time for all sorts of reasons, eg returned goods.

It's like asking a pickpocket for your money back. Nothing will be done to stop them carrying on. Insist to your bank it was an unauthorised transaction, and the retailer will get a chargeback, and if it happens often enough they'll get their card handing facilities withdrawn.

While I agree with Zagfles this scam has been going on for years, and people have reported it to their Banks and Credit Card companies yet they are reluctant for some reason to do anything about Spacebags and Freetime (as with the other names this company has used over the years).
All I can say is call the number on the letter or Devon call centre direct on Freephone number 0800051 2121.
99% of the time they will refund without any problems. If you have problems be persistent and also keep on at your Card provider.

ikib

I ordered 'original spacebags' off a tv shopping channel, they passed on my card details without my permission. They had given them to timeshare firm called Freetime, I phoned them after I got an info pack that said if you don't cancel within 30 days they take £100. I cancelled on the phone but they said Original spacebags' had called me and asked if I wanted the pack, I didn't get any calls from them, so watch out if you get a Freetime pack through your door, don't just bin it, make sure you cancel it. I also went to lloyds/tsb and told them and they said I'll have to wait until the money goes and they will give it back, really worth the trip to warn them:mad:

John119

I ordered 'original spacebags' off a tv shopping channel which they passed on my card details without my permission. They had given them to a timeshare firm called Freetime, I phoned them after I got an info pack that said if you don't cancel within 30 days they take £100. I went online to see if they had a website which I couldn't find but I came across this website & found I wasn't the only one that had been ripped off. I cancelled on the phone & I was assured they wouldn't take money from my account. That was a lie they went ahead & took £99.99 from my bank.. so watch out if you get a Freetime pack through your door, don't just bin it, make sure you cancel it. I contacted my bank & they are dealing with it...