SAT TV DD taken without permission!

Pet50

Just had our bank statement arrive and noticed that £12 has been taken out by SAT TV by DD. We have not authorised this. We don't have Sky either, haven't for over 10 years now. Went to the bank and because the DD was on 1st March and its now 8th March they say they can't do anything. Our bank only opens twice a week and today was the earliest we could go! They gave us an address to contact INTERBACS RE SAT TV, in Manchester to try and get our money back. I googled it and got a phone number. They said they are merely a company who collects the money and can't do anything. They gave us another number to ring for SAT TV. We rang and had to leave a message - not holding my breathe that we will receive a call back! What do you think? The bank assure us that it will not happen again. This has disturbed both my husband (who is in his 70's) and myself. Do you think we can claim anything for the stress and worry this has caused us as we are now worried what else can be paid out from a bank without our permission!!

Bogalot

Do you think we can claim anything for the stress and worry this has caused us as we are now worried what else can be paid out from a bank without our permission!!

I was sympathetic until this.

Someone made a mistake, it has now been sorted. These things happen. Move on.

dinglebert

The bank were talking nonsense about the direct debit. They can reclaim it.

onomatopoeia99

Tell the bank you believe the payment to be in error and that they must give you a full and immediate refund, per the direct debit guarantee.

They should refund the money immediately and investigate themselves.

Buzby

They will make you sign an Indemnity for the reversal, but that is normal. There is no stipulated time limit, but 6 months is 'reasonable' so you are well under that! Ask them for a list of all active mandates on your account, the Sat one needs to be cancelled and removed, not merely stopped, as the vendor can deactivate it within 364 days of the last debit.

iniltous

Even if your local bank branch only opens twice weekly, presumably you could have talked to them on the phone or email/web chat etc.
Have you found out what this Sat TV DD is for ?, presumably it's not Sky TV, ( it's a strange amount for Sky TV and it would show as 'Sky' on your bank statement, regardless of who they are, how did they get your bank account details ?
As already said , you should be able to easily get a refund (via your bank) using the DD debit guarantee scheme, but it's your bank that does this, you need to discuss this with your bank , they shouldn't have told you to start calling the company that set up the DD, unless it was to sort out why they think they are entitled to a DD payment, but only after they apply to get your money refunded.

DCFC79

Im intrigued to know what bank only opens 2 days a week. Why did you not use telephone banking, easy to setup and could have enquired in the comfort of your own home.

[Deleted User]

iniltous wrote: »

Even if your local bank branch only opens twice weekly, presumably you could have talked to them on the phone or email/web chat etc.
Have you found out what this Sat TV DD is for ?, presumably it's not Sky TV, ( it's a strange amount for Sky TV and it would show as 'Sky' on your bank statement, regardless of who they are, how did they get your bank account details ?
As already said , you should be able to easily get a refund (via your bank) using the DD debit guarantee scheme, but it's your bank that does this, you need to discuss this with your bank , they shouldn't have told you to start calling the company that set up the DD, unless it was to sort out why they think they are entitled to a DD payment, but only after they apply to get your money refunded.

Sounds like one of these scam cold callers claiming to be Sky (or working on their behalf) about 'your Sky equipment insurance'. One of them must have given DD details to them at some point. I wonder just how long they've been paying.

[Deleted User]

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Sounds like one of these scam cold callers claiming to be Sky (or working on their behalf) about 'your Sky equipment insurance'. One of them must have given DD details to them at some point. I wonder just how long they've been paying.

I think it's for a satellite equipment insurance policy too. Not sure how it's a "scam", though, unless it doesn't cover the equipment.

This couple have probably been paying it for years and likely bought it when they did have Sky...

[Deleted User]

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

I think it's for a satellite equipment insurance policy too. Not sure how it's a "scam", though, unless it doesn't cover the equipment.

This couple have probably been paying it for years and likely bought it when they did have Sky...

Sky only use Sky Protect as equipment insurers but that doesn't stop other companies cold calling and getting people to sign up. Admittedly I've had no experience of them (besides the calls) but it would surprise me if any of them actually follow through on a claim.

There's not even any need for the official one imho.

Edit: Since the Sky Q box never belongs to the customer would that mean Sky have to fix or replace regardless?

[Deleted User]

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

Sky only use Sky Protect as equipment insurers but that doesn't stop other companies cold calling and getting people to sign up.

Correct, but customers don't have to sign up with Sky Protect in order to be fully and comprehensively covered in the event of an equipment failure. They can quite legitimately purchase insurance elsewhere. The problem comes when the customer cancels Sky but neglects to cancel the insurance which continues but obviously covers nothing.

There are always scams too, but not I think in this case.

Sky Q uses the same rental model that Virgin have always used. The equipment is owned and maintained by Sky and is returned on cancellation of service. No external insurance is therefore required.

For the vast majority still using Sky decoders they own, insurance is still a waste of money since the equipment is very robust. In addition, Sky will generally fix the faulty equipment of anyone who threatens to cancel by waiving their usual £65 charge. Anyone in the original minimum term will be covered by a twelve month guarantee.