Hi,
Credit cards When does a CC transaction become a continuing authority? Does it have to be written into the T&Cs and / or mentioned specifically (eg. over the phone when giving CC details)? Or, can it reasonably be assumed by the nature of the business?
While doing some searching to try and find this out, I came across the following from the British Bankers' Assoc site
These are similar to Direct Debits, but the payment is claimed from your credit card account. Although this type of transaction is not covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee ..."
I find this statememt somewhat misleading because it associates the payments with DDs, but in reality, the CC holder has very little say when trying to cancel - the payee has the control.
Debit Cards I made an interim payment to my ISP, when I eventually managed to stop the CC payments, as a one-off payment and on the basis I was going to set up a DD. I discovered from my statement that during the same month, 2 further PoS (Point of Sale) payments were made. I had not authorised either of these. When I queried these payments by email, a few days later the two payments were then re-credited to my account - I did not ask for this. So, a further two unauthorised transactions were made.
My question here is (and my bank is still unable to give me a specific answer on this); how do I stand with unauthorised transactions being made on my account, simply because my ISP, or anyone, holds my debit card details from one earlier transaction? Is it legal, am I protected, or is it fraud? Can there be 'un-said' assumptions?
From another conversation just now with my bank, it seems that a continuing authority can also be set up with a Debit Card. I am learning new things every day.
I sent a fax to the financial director asking for my debit and credit card information to be removed from their system because I want to set up a standing order (the best protection out of them all). He has not responded on this issue. They responded by attaching a DD form. How do I stand if further attempts are made to remove funds from either my credit or debit card? Both my bank and CC Co have instructions not to accept further payments. I have just been informed that my CC Co will bounce further attempts.
I am also trying to find out who my ISP's merchanting company are (eg Barclaycard or Streamline). Because, if unauthorised / fraudulent transactions are being made, they should be made aware of this.
Sorry it's long, but I need to know, together with regulatory / legislative back-up, how to proceed and how, or if, I, and my bank account, are protected.
Iain