Direct debit reversal

eskbanker

sheramber said:

I would be inclined to contact the company and advise that this was as a result of a cold call to a vulnerable , elderly  person and request they cancel  whatever she signed up to.
Maybe a suggestion  some bad publicity would not be to their advantage.

No harm in trying but I strongly suspect that there wouldn't be a huge overlap in the middle of a Venn diagram featuring 'companies who reel in suckers by cold calling' and 'companies who care about their reputation'....

xylophone

 I'm thinking the safest plan of action would be to get the bank to pay all the companies back then cancel all the policies and direct debits properly. 

Policies? I'd say that you need to be scrupulously careful!  What kind of policies and to what do they relate?

As for the DDs, it appears that they have already been cancelled?

That said, do you suspect that there may be other "rogue" DDs?

Is it possible that she may have set up any CPAs?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/recurring-payments/

pmom

Apologies for the delay in replying. I've got a copy of her statement:-

• All the payments are direct debits [DD] I don't know what a CPA would show up as?
• All the payments relate to multiple types of extended warranties for appliances/ drain cover/ boiler cover
• Not all of these DDs have been reversed
• Some may be rogue, some might have sent paperwork - I've got to go through her papers. She has given out her bank details over the phone on multiple occasions despite us telling her not to.
  
• I'm getting some clarification from HSBC as to their procedures - I can't discuss her money as I'm not eligible
• I've got her to write to her bank for a list of all current live direct debits

Thank you for all the comments and suggestions, it's given me lots to think about. I'll come back and let you know how we get on.

born_again

CPA will show up as a debit card payment. (VIS)
Given what you have explained it would be unusual for these types of companies.
Best way to check is to look for same company debiting each month for around the same amount. 
They are dealt with in a different way. So there is no way to claim any money back on them unless they have been cancelled either with retailer or bank.

xylophone

I can't discuss her money as I'm not eligible

Which makes life awkward - You have said that she is very independent and reluctant to grant PoA but suppose you were to explain that granting it does not mean losing her independence but rather enables her  to maintain it  (with support) for as long as possible.

It seems that she does not have internet access - with PoA, you could set this up and it would ease management of her financial affairs.  

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

As for the warranties, do check  that she actually still has the appliances and that if she has, paying for the cover is worth it.

You mention that you have changed her telephone number - is she still being cold called on the new number?

jonesMUFCforever

born_again said:

CPA will show up as a debit card payment. (VIS)
Given what you have explained it would be unusual for these types of companies.
Best way to check is to look for same company debiting each month for around the same amount. 
They are dealt with in a different way. So there is no way to claim any money back on them unless they have been cancelled either with retailer or bank.

With banks within the Lloyds Banking group they show up as DEB (for debit card) then last 4 numbers of the PAN.

born_again

What the OP could do is be there when she rings up and she asks them to speak to XXX on my behalf. They should have no issue with that.
They will not be able to action anything. But simply putting acc holder back on to agree will see that done..

pmom

xylophone said:

I can't discuss her money as I'm not eligible

Which makes life awkward - You have said that she is very independent and reluctant to grant PoA but suppose you were to explain that granting it does not mean losing her independence but rather enables her  to maintain it  (with support) for as long as possible.

It seems that she does not have internet access - with PoA, you could set this up and it would ease management of her financial affairs.  

As for the warranties, do check  that she actually still has the appliances and that if she has, paying for the cover is worth it.

You mention that you have changed her telephone number - is she still being cold called on the new number?

Yes, we'll try and explain the POA  to her again. She doesn't need any of the warranties- she could buy everything new for the price she's paying!  On her new phone number she might only be getting recorded type cold calling and I've attached a call blocker to the phone now.