Debit Card 'Recurring Payment Authority' Problems

Debit Card 'Recurring Payment Authority' Problems

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
quotequote all
Hi Chaps, don't usually post in this section, but hopefully someone can advise:

I recently had a debit card charge from a company, for services which were unrequested and unrequired (it's a domain name registrar). They appear to have my card details on file, so can make 'recurring payment' charges. I have tried contacting the company,several times, but with no reply.

Deciding to contact my bank, they advise me that they can't 'reverse' the charge under any circumstances - and that my only recourse is to request a refund from the merchant. Looking at reviews on the web, it seems many others have had the same problem following a takeover of that company :-(

I asked my bank whether they have any 'list' of other comapnies who have my card details with authority to remove funds from my account - apparently at random and without any prior warning - to be told "no we don't".

Despite all the efforts by banks to improve online security, this seems like a gaping 'hole in the fence' for unscrupulous companies to exploit. Changing card details appears to be no defence either - or so my bank informs me...

Like many others, I make frequent use of online purchases, and have no idea how many companies have retained my debit card details (it's often the default choice).

I'd rather not close this account, but I'm not sure how this can be prevented in future. I accept that it's my responsibility to 'check the terms and conditions' when purchasing - but it's all to easy to lose track of what you've bought over the course of many years online.

Any advice? Apologies for the long ramble :-)

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
quotequote all
Smiljan said:
If the company isn't responding you might just have to report the card lost and get a new one. It'll have a different number and they will no longer be able to charge your account.
Well, you'd think that would work, but speaking to the bank it wouldn'tmadmad

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 4th July 2020
quotequote all
The bank said I can indeed 'bar' future attempted charges from a particular company - but that they can't reverse a recent disputed transaction.

They are unable to do a 'global barring' of this type of payment, as they can't tell which companies have retained your card details.

I was told that even if the card number (and associated expiry date & CCV number) were changed, they would still have to honour a charge made against the old card. I was starting to lose my 'cool' at this point, so ended the conversation at that point!