We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Scam recovery

Options
Helping a neighbour who has had numerous people ringing to offer "insurance" for many unnecessary items.  Clearly scams.  Seems to have been talked into some and has paid by his debit card, and there also appear to be some direct debits.  Has nothing to show for anything but single page letters saying that he now has cover for his wotsits (no policy documents as such).  I've cancelled 15 direct debits on the account and am trying to wring some more information from the bank (not being particularly helpful, they say the DDs were set up electronically, but I'm being very pushy) and claiming under the DD guarantee.  I read on this MSE site about "chargeback" on debit cards and wonder if anyone has experience of this in similar circs?  Noted from MSE that one is supposed to phone the company first, but these all have phone lines saying, "Leave a message, we'll get back to you."

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 26,612 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 11 March 2020 at 2:52AM
    Doesn't seem to be any scams here, just buyer  (or carer) remorse 

    Any "chargeback" can (and will) simply be recharged unless the amounts have definitely been taken fraudulently. 
    So I  wouldn't be spending any of these "refunds"...
  • -taff
    -taff Posts: 15,327 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Have you also cancelled the 'services' being given in return for the DD's?
    Non me fac calcitrare tuum culi
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 26,612 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 12 March 2020 at 4:01PM
    -taff said:
    Have you also cancelled the 'services' being given in return for the DD's?
    If the OP hasn't cancelled with the companies concerned prior  to cancelling the Direct Debits, the neighbour will  find himself getting letters about unpaid debt in the near future. 
    It may well be that the neighbour has been too easily persuaded to take out "unnecessary" insurance, but simply cancelling the Direct Debits will not automatically mean cancellation of the insurance policies. 

    In addition, claiming back refunds under the Direct Debit Guarantee could be initially successful but will simply be reversed if the Bank find that the OP agreed to the policies and no error on their own  part. 

    The  OP seems to have   decided the policies are "scams" based simply because they  are  large in number, but nothing in the original post leads me to believe that they definitely are. 

    The OP might  "help" the neighbour far more by contacting a member of their family so that they can arrange, for example,  Power Of Attorney (if appropriate). 
    If the neighbour has definitely become a vulnerable adult who can no longer act for himself, he  will   require professional  help. 
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.