Unauthorised monthly card payments

Londonbunny

Be aware! As a rule, I dont set up regular payments on my debit card, therefore, i dont check for them. So i was shocked to discover that for a number of years, Which? (yes, the consumer rights and advice org). Have been taking unauthorised, monthly payments from my debit card. This has resulted from a call I made to the freephone number that was advertised by Which? on the TV. The ads were offering free help guides on varioius subjects, so i called to request the 'free' help guide on laptops and tablets. The agent i spoke to, took my address and the unused email i gave him. He then went on to tell me that, as part of all calls, agents had to ask each caller if they would make a donation of £3, which he explained would help cover admin costs and go towards allowing Which? to continue to help and advise consumers. I pointed out how cheeky the request was cinsidering the help guides were advertised as being free. I did go on to agree to make the £3 donation, just to get his off the phone tbh. I made it clear that i wanted my card details removed from the system as soon as the £3 donation had gone through and the advisor assured me they would be removed straight away, he then told me that he had removed my card details while still talking to me. He then had the nerve to go on to inform me that it was illegal for anyone-businesses and otherwise, to keep a persons card details without written or online consent. I trusted everything he told me since he was an employee of Which? And that was the end of it, or so i thought, until my recent discovery. I have since cancelled the payments and informed Which? that i had been scammed by one of their phone advisors, who had deliberately lied to me and used my card details without my consent, to set up unauthorised monthly payments. Which? have not showed the slightest shock or concern to be told that one of there employee's had done what has been done to me. They paid me back £76, informing me that it was a gesture of goodwill, even though the unauthorised payments have totalled almost £1,000. I just wanted to warn people about this. Ironically, Which? front campaigns such as 'Stamp out scammers' and offer a scam alert service. 

k3lvc

Londonbunny said:

Be aware! As a rule, I dont set up regular payments on my debit card, therefore, i dont check for them. So i was shocked to discover that for a number of years, Which? (yes, the consumer rights and advice org). Have been taking unauthorised, monthly payments from my debit card. This has resulted from a call I made to the freephone number that was advertised by Which? on the TV. The ads were offering free help guides on varioius subjects, so i called to request the 'free' help guide on laptops and tablets. The agent i spoke to, took my address and the unused email i gave him. He then went on to tell me that, as part of all calls, agents had to ask each caller if they would make a donation of £3, which he explained would help cover admin costs and go towards allowing Which? to continue to help and advise consumers. I pointed out how cheeky the request was cinsidering the help guides were advertised as being free. I did go on to agree to make the £3 donation, just to get his off the phone tbh. I made it clear that i wanted my card details removed from the system as soon as the £3 donation had gone through and the advisor assured me they would be removed straight away, he then told me that he had removed my card details while still talking to me. He then had the nerve to go on to inform me that it was illegal for anyone-businesses and otherwise, to keep a persons card details without written or online consent. I trusted everything he told me since he was an employee of Which? And that was the end of it, or so i thought, until my recent discovery. I have since cancelled the payments and informed Which? that i had been scammed by one of their phone advisors, who had deliberately lied to me and used my card details without my consent, to set up unauthorised monthly payments. Which? have not showed the slightest shock or concern to be told that one of there employee's had done what has been done to me. They paid me back £76, informing me that it was a gesture of goodwill, even though the unauthorised payments have totalled almost £1,000. I just wanted to warn people about this. Ironically, Which? front campaigns such as 'Stamp out scammers' and offer a scam alert service. 

Over £1,000 @ £3 per month - so you agreed in 1993 and haven't noticed it since ??

Marvel1

k3lvc said:

Londonbunny said:

Be aware! As a rule, I dont set up regular payments on my debit card, therefore, i dont check for them. So i was shocked to discover that for a number of years, Which? (yes, the consumer rights and advice org). Have been taking unauthorised, monthly payments from my debit card. This has resulted from a call I made to the freephone number that was advertised by Which? on the TV. The ads were offering free help guides on varioius subjects, so i called to request the 'free' help guide on laptops and tablets. The agent i spoke to, took my address and the unused email i gave him. He then went on to tell me that, as part of all calls, agents had to ask each caller if they would make a donation of £3, which he explained would help cover admin costs and go towards allowing Which? to continue to help and advise consumers. I pointed out how cheeky the request was cinsidering the help guides were advertised as being free. I did go on to agree to make the £3 donation, just to get his off the phone tbh. I made it clear that i wanted my card details removed from the system as soon as the £3 donation had gone through and the advisor assured me they would be removed straight away, he then told me that he had removed my card details while still talking to me. He then had the nerve to go on to inform me that it was illegal for anyone-businesses and otherwise, to keep a persons card details without written or online consent. I trusted everything he told me since he was an employee of Which? And that was the end of it, or so i thought, until my recent discovery. I have since cancelled the payments and informed Which? that i had been scammed by one of their phone advisors, who had deliberately lied to me and used my card details without my consent, to set up unauthorised monthly payments. Which? have not showed the slightest shock or concern to be told that one of there employee's had done what has been done to me. They paid me back £76, informing me that it was a gesture of goodwill, even though the unauthorised payments have totalled almost £1,000. I just wanted to warn people about this. Ironically, Which? front campaigns such as 'Stamp out scammers' and offer a scam alert service. 

Over £1,000 @ £3 per month - so you agreed in 1993 and haven't noticed it since ??

Their monthly fee is £9.75 (just checked).

askeym

I entirely agree. I set up a one-off credit card payment for FINE Exclusive in 2006 and they've been taking unauthorised payments ever since, now to the total tune of almost £6000. I never checked because I'm a dumbAss so I'm writing to complain.

Londonbunny

k3lvc said:

Londonbunny said:

Be aware! As a rule, I dont set up regular payments on my debit card, therefore, i dont check for them. So i was shocked to discover that for a number of years, Which? (yes, the consumer rights and advice org). Have been taking unauthorised, monthly payments from my debit card. This has resulted from a call I made to the freephone number that was advertised by Which? on the TV. The ads were offering free help guides on varioius subjects, so i called to request the 'free' help guide on laptops and tablets. The agent i spoke to, took my address and the unused email i gave him. He then went on to tell me that, as part of all calls, agents had to ask each caller if they would make a donation of £3, which he explained would help cover admin costs and go towards allowing Which? to continue to help and advise consumers. I pointed out how cheeky the request was cinsidering the help guides were advertised as being free. I did go on to agree to make the £3 donation, just to get his off the phone tbh. I made it clear that i wanted my card details removed from the system as soon as the £3 donation had gone through and the advisor assured me they would be removed straight away, he then told me that he had removed my card details while still talking to me. He then had the nerve to go on to inform me that it was illegal for anyone-businesses and otherwise, to keep a persons card details without written or online consent. I trusted everything he told me since he was an employee of Which? And that was the end of it, or so i thought, until my recent discovery. I have since cancelled the payments and informed Which? that i had been scammed by one of their phone advisors, who had deliberately lied to me and used my card details without my consent, to set up unauthorised monthly payments. Which? have not showed the slightest shock or concern to be told that one of there employee's had done what has been done to me. They paid me back £76, informing me that it was a gesture of goodwill, even though the unauthorised payments have totalled almost £1,000. I just wanted to warn people about this. Ironically, Which? front campaigns such as 'Stamp out scammers' and offer a scam alert service. 

Over £1,000 @ £3 per month - so you agreed in 1993 and haven't noticed it since ??

No, the agent went on to set up unauthorised monthly payments of £12.75

ToxicWomble

What did you actually get for that ?

JReacher1

Londonbunny said:

k3lvc said:

Londonbunny said:

Be aware! As a rule, I dont set up regular payments on my debit card, therefore, i dont check for them. So i was shocked to discover that for a number of years, Which? (yes, the consumer rights and advice org). Have been taking unauthorised, monthly payments from my debit card. This has resulted from a call I made to the freephone number that was advertised by Which? on the TV. The ads were offering free help guides on varioius subjects, so i called to request the 'free' help guide on laptops and tablets. The agent i spoke to, took my address and the unused email i gave him. He then went on to tell me that, as part of all calls, agents had to ask each caller if they would make a donation of £3, which he explained would help cover admin costs and go towards allowing Which? to continue to help and advise consumers. I pointed out how cheeky the request was cinsidering the help guides were advertised as being free. I did go on to agree to make the £3 donation, just to get his off the phone tbh. I made it clear that i wanted my card details removed from the system as soon as the £3 donation had gone through and the advisor assured me they would be removed straight away, he then told me that he had removed my card details while still talking to me. He then had the nerve to go on to inform me that it was illegal for anyone-businesses and otherwise, to keep a persons card details without written or online consent. I trusted everything he told me since he was an employee of Which? And that was the end of it, or so i thought, until my recent discovery. I have since cancelled the payments and informed Which? that i had been scammed by one of their phone advisors, who had deliberately lied to me and used my card details without my consent, to set up unauthorised monthly payments. Which? have not showed the slightest shock or concern to be told that one of there employee's had done what has been done to me. They paid me back £76, informing me that it was a gesture of goodwill, even though the unauthorised payments have totalled almost £1,000. I just wanted to warn people about this. Ironically, Which? front campaigns such as 'Stamp out scammers' and offer a scam alert service. 

Over £1,000 @ £3 per month - so you agreed in 1993 and haven't noticed it since ??

No, the agent went on to set up unauthorised monthly payments of £12.75

So about 6 and a half years? I think you have to take some personal responsibility if you’ve not noticed in over six years this is happening.

 

DoaM

Statute of limitations is 6 years, so you should be able to sue them for the vast majority of that amount.

DCFC79

I thought Which was £1 for the first month then £9.75 thereafter.

OP why don't you setup regular payments using your card.

Londonbunny

ToxicWomble said:

What did you actually get for that ?

They have told me membership to the Which? site and computing advice?? 

Londonbunny

DCFC79 said:

I thought Which was £1 for the first month then £9.75 thereafter.

OP why don't you setup regular payments using your card.

I just don't feel safe doing so