Insurance Company Charged me Twice for my premium, Gave me a small compensation

AJXX

NotRichAtAll wrote: »

Who in their right mind is going to spend 3hrs on a premium rate number, you have internet access as your posting on here. It took me all of 30 second's to find a free number for first central. i also love reading these type's of post's its amazing how many people's food cupboards are empty and how all of their bills are due just at that moment and little billy needs new shoes for school. Am not going to post all of it for you..........0800 84---03

Yup, this is the problem with people these days.

I used to do manager escalations for a very well known digital music company. If you changed your card details on our system a small "authorisation charge" was taken and instantly refunded to validate the card. This was VERY clearly stated on our terms and conditions. As far our system was concerned it was charged to validate the card then instantly refunded, most customers therefore not even noticing, but some banks took a few days to process and return the funds.

The charge was usually around £1.50.

The amount of people who phoned up to complain to high hell that they've now missed their mortgage, loan, credit re-payment due to this was beyond a joke. I was always left thinking why on earth are you even buying games, music etc... if £1.50 is all it takes to throw your finances into dismay.

Of course they all wanted to be refunded overdraft fees which seemed to be very inflated, and then of course "for the stress" yet when asked for proof of overdraft charges they could never produce this... not that they would have been refunded anyway.

It seems like people will do absolutely anything to try and get a bit of money out of businesses these days. If anything I praise the company OP is taking about as they admitted their mistake and then offered the OP £50, yet this isn't enough.

Fortunately you can always spot the ones who are after money as they always use the good old "I'm entitle to money for the stress this has caused me" BS.

Anytime I read a complaint on here and it turns into "and the stress has caused me sleepless nights, I had to go to the doctors, etc..." are usually just milking it.

Glenn_Lambert

Thanks to everyone who left constructive comments, wasn't looking to get into a debate over ethics but appreciate the opinion!

Just to update those who care on the situation. Common practice for negotiating is to start with a low offer hence the suspicion when offered a seemingly high amount. I did a small amount of research and it turns out there have been a few similar cases and this malpractice is not uncommon. Anyways long story cut short rang the company spoke with the head of the legal team and he offered me a significantly larger amount than the first offer (will not disclose).

tl:dr never accept the first offer and nice guys finish last!

Glenn_Lambert

NotRichAtAll wrote: »

Who in their right mind is going to spend 3hrs on a premium rate number, you have internet access as your posting on here. It took me all of 30 second's to find a free number for first central. i also love reading these type's of post's its amazing how many people's food cupboards are empty and how all of their bills are due just at that moment and little billy needs new shoes for school. Am not going to post all of it for you..........0800 84---03

FYI

Yes so this was done however still 0800 numbers still are not free from mobiles (no longer have a house phone). Also this 0800 number (there are several) only relate to sales/renewals/etc. The customer service dept. is redirected to a premium line...

Glenn_Lambert

AJXX wrote: »

The charge was usually around £1.50.

Quote cut short...

So this is a different situation to mine. I gave my permission for them to take money from my account with my card details once. They did this twice without my permission which when you throw big legal words at it constitutes as fraud (may seem weak but to the letter of the law it is). No doubt you always asked for permission to charge their account for X amount.

dacouch

You managed to speak to the Head of First Central's Legal Dept since you started this thread at gone 5pm on Friday and Sunday afternoon...

Glenn_Lambert

dacouch wrote: »

You managed to speak to the Head of First Central's Legal Dept since you started this thread at gone 5pm on Friday and Sunday afternoon...

Okay whoever was manager that day in the legal dept. This may be surprising but large companies work weekends...

wealdroam

Glenn_Lambert wrote: »

FYI

Yes so this was done however still 0800 numbers still are not free from mobiles (no longer have a house phone). Also this 0800 number (there are several) only relate to sales/renewals/etc. The customer service dept. is redirected to a premium line...

You need to read this MSE guide:

Free 0800 Calls From Mobiles

You also need to get familiar with SayNoTo0870.com, where you will find at least one geographic number for First Central Customer Services.

Glenn_Lambert

wealdroam wrote: »

You need to read this MSE guide:

Free 0800 Calls From Mobiles

You also need to get familiar with SayNoTo0870.com, where you will find at least one geographic number for First Central Customer Services.

Thank you, as of July 1st 0800 calls are free but was unaware of these alternative methods.

I used that website to find an 01444 number but a clever trick they use is to pass you to different depts which redirect you. Hard to argue been unethical against companies like this

unholyangel

Glenn_Lambert wrote: »

So this is a different situation to mine. I gave my permission for them to take money from my account with my card details once. They did this twice without my permission which when you throw big legal words at it constitutes as fraud (may seem weak but to the letter of the law it is). No doubt you always asked for permission to charge their account for X amount.

According to "the letter of the law" its not fraud - in any way, shape or form. Theres no element of dishonesty, knowledge or intent.

It was a breach of contract, nothing more and nothing less.

wealdroam

Glenn_Lambert wrote: »

I used that website to find an 01444 number but a clever trick they use is to pass you to different depts which redirect you.

Of course, but all that re-directing costs you no more that the 01444 call. I.e. usually 'free' from a mobile.