Unauthorised donation

ali_hire

I've just noticed a £2.30 donation to Great Ormond Street has appeared on my bank statement. As far as I know, I didn't authorise this.

Now I'm in a bit of a quandary. On the one hand I don't want to make a big song and dance because it's a good cause and it's only £2.30, but on the other hand if someone's using my card without my permission I want to know how and why.

Is it possible that I've not read some small print somewhere and this forms part of another payment that I have agreed to? Perhaps PayPal or eBay?

Archi_Bald

You shouldn't feel bad about rejecting any unauthorised payment as it just isn't right if money gets taken without your agreement.

If it's something you did authorise, even inadvertently, it is obviously different. Worth getting to the bottom of it in case it is something recurring, or in case your card/account got compromised.

pmduk

Certainly point it out, it could be someone "testing" your credentials before a larger transaction. If you're concerned about the charitable aspect then make your own donation at a later date,.

ali_hire

It seems the payment is genuine.

Someone has used my card details online to make a payment to GOSH.

I've cancelled the card and let them keep the money.

Archi_Bald

Depending on what card it is and how it was used, this might not be the end of it. It could be a continuous payment authority.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/recurring-payments

ali_hire

It may well have been, but the card is now cancelled, so no drama.

brokeinyorkshire

Cancelling a card doesn't cancel a continuous payment authority.

Might be worthwhile finding out if it was a one off payment to Great Ormond Street otherwise you might get stiffed again.

ali_hire

It was a debit card transaction. If they don't have the new card details how will they take any further payment?

reclusive46

ali_hire wrote: »

It was a debit card transaction. If they don't have the new card details how will they take any further payment?

On a continuous payment, Visa, MasterCard or American Express will pass along the new card details.

YorkshireBoy

ali_hire wrote: »

It was a debit card transaction. If they don't have the new card details how will they take any further payment?

Because you've made a payment to this company/organisation before - and not told the bank you're disputing it - the bank will process the payment and link the old card to the new card...and possibly even give the company/organisation the new card number. After all, because you haven't disputed it, it's a genuine transaction on an existing 'contract'. Isn't it?


Did you read the article linked earlier?

ali_hire

But I have disputed it. I contact the fraud department at Natwest, told them that I didn't make or authorise the transaction and they've advised that the card be cancelled, which they've done.

If they've failed to inform me that my account might still be at risk then I'll have recourse with them.