Money back from disappeared company?

johnjackson15

Hi all,
I started an account with one of those loan sites, and when I realized they charge a monthly fee for just signing up tp the sites (I didn't get any loans), I requested a cancellation and refund, as I was within the timeframe for one.
Their reply was:

"Thank you for your message Further to your request your account with us has been closed and in regards to the amount that was taken from your account has been refunded back to you, however it does take five working days for that to be credited back into your account. Regards Customer Services LoanWonder | 0161 710 3186"

They since then stopped replying and naturally no refund came. Now their website loanwonder has disappeared and I am at a loss. The amount they took was £49.84.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance, I won't be going near these sites again.

Gaz83

If they have went out of business, then you'll be classed as an unsecured creditor and have to wait until the assets (if there are any) are distributed to preferred creditors before getting a share of what's left.

If they don't have any assets, you won't get anything back.

fermi

If I have the right one, webcache shows company behind that site is: OPTIMUM FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS LIMITED

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03905337/filing-history

johnjackson15

Thanks for the quick reply.
Do you know when and how will I find anything out about this when it happens? I assumed that once it goes out of business then you don't hear any more about it.

Edit: Just seen the above post posted at the same time as this.

fermi

More details from the webcache.

For any communication with our business please click here here or write to us at Optimum House, Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 8PY, United Kingdom
loanwonder.co.uk is a trading name of Optimum Financial Solutions Limited and is not a lender but is a licensed credit broker which introduces borrowers and lenders for the purposes of entering into unsecured loan agreements. Optimum Financial Solutions Limited is registered with company number 3905337 and has its trading address at Optimum House, Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 8PY, United Kingdom We find you the best loan for you with our trusted panel of lenders. For this service we charge a broker fee of £76.99 and in some cases we receive a commission agreed from our lenders. For more information on this please see our Privacy Policy.
Optimum Financial Solutions Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with full permission number 554498 and with the Information Commissioner’s Office with registered number Z2719830.

Their entry on the FCA register.

https://register.fca.org.uk/ShPo_FirmDetailsPage?id=001b000000NMZYiAAP

SnowTiger

I'd try doing a Chargeback via my bank: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/visa-mastercard-chargeback.

LoanWonder's website appears to have disappeared during the past 24 hours. Whether this is a computer glitch or permanent isn't clear.

johnjackson15

Thanks, that's what I was thinking and that's also what I'm doing just now.
Finger's crossed

vlad

odd that they have a manchester phone no. 0161 but a liverpool address,widness?

johnjackson15

Update:
After my last post here, I did two things;
a) Sent a letter to my bank about the situation, and although they can't reverse the payment, it can be eligible for a 'chargeback'.

and

b) Filled out the Ombudsman form and issued a complaint, attaching the e-mails I received from LoanWonder.

Here's what has happened since then.
a) My bank texted me to let me know I'd get a call soon, which I did within 15 minutes. They explained that I can go through the chargeback process, but that the bank (Halifax) themselves can't do anything about it since the payment/debit has nothing wrong with it itself. They put me directly through to the chargeback company who appeared to already know my situation, which saves explaining things again to them.
They had a false-American accent and were slightly antagonistic to me, asking exact dates of the e-mails and then challenging them. I explained that due to the few days it takes for 'pending' payments to go through, I did in fact request a refund before the date that he saw the payment was taken. (I saw the pending payment on my account on the 23rd, it went through on the 26th. I complained in between that timeframe, but this man on the phone acted like I was lying since he only saw the 26th date and didn't believe that I could have requested a refund before the money was taken on that date).
Nonetheless, he did his job and said that I would need a 'refund code' from the company before a chargeback can be done. He gave me their number, which I had, and told me to call them and call the chargeback company back again, with a reference code.

b) I only got an e-mail back from the Ombudsman saying that my complaint has been received, and I got a reference code.

That's all for now. I'll be calling the LoanWonder number now I'm home or tomorrow depending on if I can reach them.

Thanks to all for the advice, I'll post on the next update I get.