Taken a payment without me knowing

Bebsie

I had to cancel my car insurance as we sold our car. I contacted Amber Select and told them and asked if I could pay off the balance over a few months. I paid a small amount over the phone and all seemed to be good, until yesterday, they took £166.66 out of my account without my knowledge! They obviously kept my debit card details on file and took money out of my account. Surely this is illegal! Is there anything I can do as I did owe them the money but did not authorise this payment! Another thing that worries me is that they may do it again next month (the total I owe is £300 odd). This has left me in a horrendous situation for the rest of the month.

TonyC

I had the same thing the other month with City Bank. I had given them my card details and they took two lots of payments. I complained to the bank telling them the second was not authorised and the bank has give me the money back. I now dont pay any bills over the phone, I pay it by internet banking or by cheque, when they I ask why I said its 'my company policy' not to let them have my card details, as long as I pay them the money non have kicked up a fuss, yet!

City cards havent asked for it since, but I am sure they will at some point.

I would complain to the bank as unauthorised usage.

Hope this helps.

Tony

Bebsie

TonyC wrote: »

I had the same thing the other month with City Bank. I had given them my card details and they took two lots of payments. I complained to the bank telling them the second was not authorised and the bank has give me the money back. I now dont pay any bills over the phone, I pay it by internet banking or by cheque, when they I ask why I said its 'my company policy' not to let them have my card details, as long as I pay them the money non have kicked up a fuss, yet!

City cards havent asked for it since, but I am sure they will at some point.

I would complain to the bank as unauthorised usage.

Hope this helps.

Tony

Thanks Tony

Do I contact my bank as well and let them know?

MrsTinks

I'm confused... if you cancel your insurance before the end of the term then there might be an admin fee but £300???? You should only need to pay for the time you've had the car insured - if you only used say 6 months of the 12 month policy then you should surely only pay for 6 months plus an admin fee depending on the policy terms? I'd get on the phone to them and check that and see if they will refund you.

immoral_angeluk

MrsTine wrote: »

I'm confused... if you cancel your insurance before the end of the term then there might be an admin fee but £300???? You should only need to pay for the time you've had the car insured - if you only used say 6 months of the 12 month policy then you should surely only pay for 6 months plus an admin fee depending on the policy terms? I'd get on the phone to them and check that and see if they will refund you.

Unless like with the AA you essentially take out a loan for the whole amount. I was shocked to see a loan agreement turn up on my mat after I took out my car insurance with them!

TonyC

My bank (Abbye) were really good when I complained about an authorised usage, I did talk to city bank (who took the payments) but they said there records show it was authorised, I asked them for the recordings of the conversation - I am still waiting.

It did take them about a month to refund the money though, but it eventually came through. Shame they arent so good in other areas!

Bebsie

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Unless like with the AA you essentially take out a loan for the whole amount. I was shocked to see a loan agreement turn up on my mat after I took out my car insurance with them!

Yes, it was a loan for the full amount.

Bebsie

TonyC wrote: »

My bank (Abbye) were really good when I complained about an authorised usage, I did talk to city bank (who took the payments) but they said there records show it was authorised, I asked them for the recordings of the conversation - I am still waiting.

It did take them about a month to refund the money though, but it eventually came through. Shame they arent so good in other areas!

Thanks Tony, I am going to write to them now! I cannot believe this. It is going to be a tough month!

EmptyPurse

I've just had the same thing with an annual website subscription that automatically renewed without notice (I didn't even know I was still subscribed). I now have the grand sum of £1 to last me until payday. Grrrrrr.

Bebsie

I just can't believe they can get away with this, it's crazy! £166 out of my account agggg

MrsTinks

Loan or not... they should surely still refund you the remainder of the insurance period which would then be used to part pay off the remaining "loan" amount. My insurance is with the AA too but I always pay in full so it's not been a problem for me I guess...