Direct Debits setup against my explicit instructions

davidka1

Hi everyone,

I was on a recorded call with an insurance broker, who towards the end of the call I realised was actually setting up the policies, rather than sending me quotes. As soon as I realised this I explicitly stated that I did not want any direct debits setup until I had read ll the paperwork and fine-print, and he should not under any circumstances set anything up until and unless I called him back and explicitly informed him that I wished to proceed, and he may do so; but - he went ahead and set up the Direct Debits anyway, which I can now see in my account. I would like to know please:

a) Is what was done illegal?

b) I have cancelled them and notified the bank to block and Direct Debits being setup for those same entities

Thanks.

colsten

Are they registered with the FCA? https://register.fca.org.uk/s/

I believe you can report them to the FCA by informal email to consumer.queries@fca.org.uk

dunstonh

a) Is what was done illegal?

No.

b) I have cancelled them and notified the bank to block and Direct Debits being setup for those same entities

You missed the question off on that one.

davidka1

Thanks @colsten yes they are; it was one of the first things the person said, and it says on their website. I did consider reporting them, but I am not even sure if what's been done is illegal or not ... it seems pretty illegal to me, but I don't know.

soulsaver

Why were you giving out your bank details when all you wanted was a quote?

colsten

There are no laws for Direct Debits. But you can report them for their sharp practices. 

BTW, somebody telling, or stating on their website, that they are FCA registered doesn't mean they actually are. You have to verify it on the actual FCA site.

davidka1

dunstonh said:

a) Is what was done illegal?

No.

b) I have cancelled them and notified the bank to block and Direct Debits being setup for those same entities

You missed the question off on that one.

Thanks for your reply @dunstonh, you're right. The second questions was - do I need to do anything further, after informing the bank?

Also, can you please help me understand how the broker is legally allowed to still setup the direct debit despite me explicitly asking him not to?

Thanks in advance.

davidka1

soulsaver said:

Why were you giving out your bank details when all you wanted was a quote?

Because at that point he had not indicated to me that he was setting up the policies, and following all the answers I had already given I gave that as well, and then asked him why. That's when I was informed that the policies were being set up, and I said no.

davidka1

colsten said:

There are no laws for Direct Debits. But you can report them for their sharp practices. 

BTW, somebody telling, or stating on their website, that they are FCA registered doesn't mean they actually are. You have to verify it on the actual FCA site.

Understood, thank you very much.

ZeroSum

davidka1 said:

soulsaver said:

Why were you giving out your bank details when all you wanted was a quote?

Because at that point he had not indicated to me that he was setting up the policies, and following all the answers I had already given I gave that as well, and then asked him why. That's when I was informed that the policies were being set up, and I said no.

But still no reason to give out bank details. You might have wanted to pay in full by debit or credit card

davidka1

ZeroSum said:

davidka1 said:

soulsaver said:

Why were you giving out your bank details when all you wanted was a quote?

Because at that point he had not indicated to me that he was setting up the policies, and following all the answers I had already given I gave that as well, and then asked him why. That's when I was informed that the policies were being set up, and I said no.

But still no reason to give out bank details. You might have wanted to pay in full by debit or credit card

Yeah, I realise this now .... lesson learned.