Hi all. Not sure if this is the correct place to post, so please move it as needed if necessary.

A friend of mine has just visited me with quite an alarming story, or so I think.

Unfortunately she has learning problems and other difficulties which clearly will show in the following.

I find it difficult to see how this has happened and she is unable to answer my questions properly,

so I thought I'd seek some help from you guys.

this is the problem.

On August 13th 2014 she went on-line and applied, or so she thought, for a loan.

She was charged a fee for this.

Then within one month I see from her bank statement she has also been charged by several other companies.

After checking these companies on-line it seems they are some kind of loan brokers.

Peoples Loans £49.99

ML Loans £69.95

Loan Rocket £69.99

My Loan Now £67.88

The Right Loan £59.99

PT Loans £69.95

All money was taken between August 13th and September 15th.

She claims to have given her debit card details to just one of these companies,

so I'm not sure what has happened.

She doesn't have much of a clue to be honest and suffers with depression quite badly.

This loss of money has hit her and her family very hard, they already rely on food banks.

So my question is: What can I do to help her? If anything.

Thanks.

yeah, looks like brokers and fees charged for finding/searching for a loan. see the terms on their sites.

but, there are rights to cancel/get a refund, check those?

did she actually get a loan? from who? and who did she go online with, one or several (looks like it)?

is in the media eg http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/loan-sharks-taking-fees-before-4046688

others will no doubt look in just now.

contact her bank

get them ALL refunded under the chargeback/CPA schemes

contact actionfraud and register this too.

GENERAL NOTES ON CHARGEBACK & Continuous Payment Authority & BACS

.....

We have been telling people to put a letter into their bank instructing them

not to make any payments under any circumstances to these companies

.

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/visa-debit-chargeback/- it works!

usually this shuld be done using the numbe on your debit card

.

banks MUST follow written intructions from their customers !

.

This fsa guide has now been updated:

.

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/consumer_...ghts_guide.pdf

.

Here's the text:

.

Cancelling a regular

card payment:

.

When you give your credit or debit card details to a company and authorise them to take regular payments from your account,

such as for a gym membership or magazine subscription,

it is known as a ‘recurring transaction’ or ‘continuous payment authority’.

.

These are often confused with direct debits, but do not offer the same guarantee if the amount or date of the payment changes.

.

In most cases, regular payments can be cancelled by telling the company taking the payments.

.

However,

you have the right to cancel them directly with your bank or card issuer by telling it that you have stopped permission for the payments.

Your bank or card issuer must then stop them – it has no right to insist that you agree this first with the company taking the payments.

.

Be aware, though, that you will still be responsible for paying any money that you owe.

and that CANELLING YOUR CARD WILL NOT STOP THE CPA

.

see:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...-Viewing)-nbsp

.

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/consumer...ng/index.shtml

.

http://www.theguardian.com/money/201...?newsfeed=true

..

.

New june 2013

.

Regulator orders Banks and mutuals to review complaints about not cancelling recurring payments from November 2009.

.

Consumers who have set up a regular payment from their account will now be able to successfully cancel that arrangement

by contacting their card provider, the Financial Conduct Authority said.

.

The FCA has been examining how easy it is for customers to cancel Continuous Payment Authorities (CPAs)

due either to payday lendersicon or for other regular payments such as subscriptions or gymicon memberships.

.

CPAs, which are also commonly called recurring transactions or recurring payments,

are relatively easy to set up but can be hard to cancel, causing problems for consumers trying to manage their finances,the FCA said.

.

Now, following the FCA review of how the largest high street banks and mutuals process requests to cancel CPAs, they have agreed that they will ensure that when

a customer asks for a recurring payment to end, that will be sufficient to cancel the arrangement. They have also confirmed that should a payment go through by

mistake following cancellation by a customer the customer will be refunded immediately.

.

In addition to securing this commitment, the largest banks and mutuals have agreed to review every individual complaint they have received about the non-

cancellation of a CPA and to pay redress where payments have continued to be made despite the customer cancelling the arrangement. This applies to all complaints

since November 2009 when the Financial Services Authority, the FCA’s predecessor, began regulating banking conduct.

.

Clive Adamson, the FCA’s director of supervision, said: “It’s important that consumers are confident that banks are meeting their everyday banking needs. Today

customers can be confident that when they ask for a Continuous Payment Authority to be cancelled – it will be cancelled - and that it can be done easily.

.

“We recognise that historically this is an area where some customers have struggled but the banks and mutuals have responded positively to our work on this issue.

From now on we expect them to be getting this right. In addition, they have committed to review past complaints.”

.

http://www.ftadviser.com/2013/06/28/...J/article.html

.

Also mentioned your displeasure that as whomever took your money had obviously attempted this many times

probably activating your banks own anti fraud software - nobody had the decency to inform my you this was going on.?

.In the FSA's own words:

.

..

What should I do about a payment from my account that I didn’t authorise?

.

Your bank must refund an unauthorised transaction.

Money can only be taken from your account if you have authorised the transaction

or if your bank can prove you were at fault –

see below.

Contact your bank immediately if you notice an unauthorised payment from your account.

If you are sure you did not authorise the payment, you can claim a refund.

However, your bank does not have to refund you if you do not tell it about the payment until 13 months

or more after the date it left your account.

.

Your bank must refund an unauthorised transaction

.

------------------

.

Your bank may only refuse a refund for an unauthorised transaction if:

.

? it can prove you authorised the transaction

– though your bank cannot simply say that use of your password,

card and PIN proves you authorised a payment; or

? it can prove you are at fault because you acted fraudulently,

or because you deliberately,

or with gross negligence, failed to protect the details of your card, PIN or password in a way that allowed the transaction

.

-----------------------

.

How quickly must my bank refund me for an unauthorised transaction?

.

The bank must make the refund immediately unless it has evidence that one of the above reasons applies.

Your bank may ask you to answer some questions and fill out a form confirming what has happened,

but it cannot delay your refund while it waits for you to return the form.

If the bank has evidence that one of the above reasons for refusing a refund applies,

it may investigate before making a refund

but must look into it as quickly as possible.

If your bank rejects your claim for a refund it should explain why.

If the transaction was on a credit card, the refund may not happen immediately.

But the card issuer cannot charge interesticon or ask for repayment of the amount unless it can prove you are liable to pay

[/b]

These are your statutory rights under FSA regulations. They are not guidance.

.

if you did it by your banking portal:

.

then follow this:

.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...73#post4534173

dx

Well she says she only gave her details to one broker, but doesn't know which one. I have now found out from the telephone numbers (from her statement that ML Loans and PT Loans are the same company. (Same telephone number)

I see she's even been charged for failed attempt to take the cash of £6.00 from NatWest.

She never secured a loan from anybody. I think I have managed to get the address of the companies so I'll try to put a letter together for her, although I'm not so good at this either lol.

Anyway, thanks for the help so far.

Great, thanks dx100. A shedload of info there!

I'll also send a letter to the bank for her. After checking online I also see other people have had similar problems with companies taking money without authorisation. So a letter to the bank and the companies will hopefully resolve this for her.

Cheers

yes, try and get those refunded. report them etc if necessary.

she wasn't aware of any fees at the time?

theres nowt stopping you phoning the banks 24hr line now

and after getting perm to act on her behalf

getting the chargebacks in motion

the FCA are down on record as wanting banks to act 'swiftly' upon these issues.

dx

don't faff around with silly letters to the fleecers

get onto her bank ASAP.

dx

OK thanks.

When she comes over later I'll get her to phone the bank and I'll speak to them for her.

Will see what they say and report back.

Cheers

Just a quick update here to say that the bank have written to my friend and told her they are investigating and will get back by October 16th. Hopefully they will resolve this. Cheers

Hello Brand.

I am facing the same problem now. I was able to contact loansdirect and jediloans and ask for refund. But I have no idea about ML Loans. No website or contact info. Could you please share some information. I have tried to look everywhere. Then I came across your post. Please help.

rainee, as brand says, they prob have their fingers in each others pies ie the same (parent) co.

some recent media info

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/online-loan-brokers-take-money-4403454

http://news.sky.com/story/1349684/watchdog-to-clamp-down-on-payday-loan-brokers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28835558

Hello Brand.

I am facing the same problem now. I was able to contact loansdirect and jediloans and ask for refund. But I have no idea about ML Loans. No website or contact info. Could you please share some information. I have tried to look everywhere. Then I came across your post. Please help.

The number for ML

is 01403 215760. Good luck!!

Hello Brand.

I am facing the same problem now. I was able to contact loansdirect and jediloans and ask for refund. But I have no idea about ML Loans. No website or contact info. Could you please share some information. I have tried to look everywhere. Then I came across your post. Please help.

The number for ML

is 01403 215760. Good luck!!

Hi rainee. First thanks to TATES for getting that info, I too wanted this. From that I found their website:

http://www.merrywoodloans.co.uk/refunds.html

(At least I'm assuming this is them)

I've had a reply from my friends bank. It may well be worth now contacting each company involved and at least getting most of the money back if they will pay up. I will be interested to see if she did give her details or it was passed on by People's Loans.

Anyway, if anyone sees something wrong with the banks letter or has more advice please, please let me know!

Thanks again for the help.

PT Loans 01403215760

PT Loans 01403215760

Great!

Thanks very much for that. I see they have the same number as "ML Loans" so obviously the same company. PT = ML.

And the bank says nothing untoward here? lol. Only the same company taking 2 unauthorized payments........

Great!

 

Thanks very much for that. I see they have the same number as "ML Loans" so obviously the same company. PT = ML.

 

And the bank says nothing untoward here? lol. Only the same company taking 2 unauthorized payments........

Yes it's the same company as OR Loans also.

It's amazing how one company under so many different names can get away with biting people again and again.

I'm glad there's a lot more awareness and news coming out about these thieves now. That's all they are.

My bank told me there was nothing they can do but did lead me into the right direction to call the brokers,

make them cancel my details and refund my money which they have promised to do so in the next 7 working days.

I am waiting on that.

If they don't then a call to trading standards will be next.

I just hope I stopped them in time before they pass my details around further.

Shocking that for a £50 payday loan enquiry,

I am so far at a loss of £300.

Money I obviously was struggling with.

Very upsetting and stressful but fingers crossed its over and I get my money back.

I also have a mind to close my account and start a new one once I've been refunded. Just incase.

sorry but whomever are you bank are WRONG.

if its done under CPA,

then the FCA have clearly stated the BANK must refund.

GENERAL NOTES ON CHARGEBACK & Continuous Payment Authority & BACS

.....

We have been telling people to put a letter into their bank instructing them

not to make any payments under any circumstances to these companies

.

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/visa-debit-chargeback/- it works!

usually this should be done using the number on your debit card

.

banks MUST follow written intructions from their customers !

.

This fsa guide has now been updated:

.

http://www.fsa.gov.uk/static/pubs/consumer_info/know_your_rights_guide.pdf

http://www.fca.org.uk/news/continuous-payment-authorities-your-right-to-cancel

.

Here's the text:

.

Cancelling a regular

card payment:

.

When you give your credit or debit card details to a company and authorise them to take regular payments from your account,

such as for a gym membership or magazine subscription,

it is known as a ‘recurring transaction’ or ‘continuous payment authority’.

.

These are often confused with direct debits, but do not offer the same guarantee if the amount or date of the payment changes.

.

In most cases, regular payments can be cancelled by telling the company taking the payments.

.

However,

you have the right to cancel them directly with your bank or card issuer by telling it that you have stopped permission for the payments.

Your bank or card issuer must then stop them – it has no right to insist that you agree this first with the company taking the payments.

.

Be aware, though, that you will still be responsible for paying any money that you owe.

and that CANELLING YOUR CARD WILL NOT STOP THE CPA

.

..

.

New june 2013

.

Regulator orders Banks and mutuals to review complaints about not cancelling recurring payments from November 2009.

.

Consumers who have set up a regular payment from their account will now be able to successfully cancel that arrangement

by contacting their card provider, the Financial Conduct Authority said.

.

The FCA has been examining how easy it is for customers to cancel Continuous Payment Authorities (CPAs)

due either to payday lendersicon or for other regular payments such as subscriptions or gymicon memberships.

.

CPAs, which are also commonly called recurring transactions or recurring payments,

are relatively easy to set up but can be hard to cancel, causing problems for consumers trying to manage their finances,the FCA said.

.

Now, following the FCA review of how the largest high street banks and mutuals process requests to cancel CPAs, they have agreed that they will ensure that when

a customer asks for a recurring payment to end, that will be sufficient to cancel the arrangement. They have also confirmed that should a payment go through by

mistake following cancellation by a customer the customer will be refunded immediately.

.

In addition to securing this commitment, the largest banks and mutuals have agreed to review every individual complaint they have received about the non-

cancellation of a CPA and to pay redress where payments have continued to be made despite the customer cancelling the arrangement. This applies to all complaints

since November 2009 when the Financial Services Authority, the FCA’s predecessor, began regulating banking conduct.

.

Clive Adamson, the FCA’s director of supervision, said: “It’s important that consumers are confident that banks are meeting their everyday banking needs. Today

customers can be confident that when they ask for a Continuous Payment Authority to be cancelled – it will be cancelled - and that it can be done easily.

.

“We recognise that historically this is an area where some customers have struggled but the banks and mutuals have responded positively to our work on this issue.

From now on we expect them to be getting this right. In addition, they have committed to review past complaints.”

.

.

Also mentioned your displeasure that as whomever took your money had obviously attempted this many times

probably activating your banks own anti fraud software - nobody had the decency to inform my you this was going on.?

.

.In the FSA's own words:

.

..

What should I do about a payment from my account that I didn’t authorise?

.

Your bank must refund an unauthorised transaction.

Money can only be taken from your account if you have authorised the transaction

or if your bank can prove you were at fault –

.

see below.

Contact your bank immediately if you notice an unauthorised payment from your account.

.

If you are sure you did not authorise the payment, you can claim a refund.

.

However, your bank does not have to refund you if you do not tell it about the payment until 13 months

or more after the date it left your account.

.

Your bank must refund an unauthorised transaction

.

------------------

.

Your bank may only refuse a refund for an unauthorised transaction if:

.

? it can prove you authorised the transaction

– though your bank cannot simply say that use of your password,

card and PIN proves you authorised a payment; or

.

? it can prove you are at fault because you acted fraudulently,

or because you deliberately,

or with gross negligence, failed to protect the details of your card, PIN or password in a way that allowed the transaction

.

-----------------------

.

How quickly must my bank refund me for an unauthorised transaction?

.

The bank must make the refund immediately unless it has evidence that one of the above reasons applies.

Your bank may ask you to answer some questions and fill out a form confirming what has happened,

but it cannot delay your refund while it waits for you to return the form.

If the bank has evidence that one of the above reasons for refusing a refund applies,

it may investigate before making a refund

but must look into it as quickly as possible.

If your bank rejects your claim for a refund it should explain why.

If the transaction was on a credit card, the refund may not happen immediately.

But the card issuer cannot charge interest or ask for repayment of the amount unless it can prove you are liable to pay

PT Loans 01403215760

Hiya Chloe

Yes PT AND ML are one and the same, also part of this company are MLL and OR LOANS.

All the same company,

same telephone number.

They have taken almost £900 from my account in all,

I have been told I have to wait 30 days now for a refund

when I told them it was fraud as I never applied in the first place,

I was told it wasn't as they had a signature

as far as they were concerned it was all legitimate.

When I asked how much they were intending to refund me,

she just said that it was a lot as I had four different accounts with them!

I`'ll keep you informed and Good Luck.

PT Loans 01403215760

Just for your reference Chloe

I was told 7 days for a refund and then when I wasn't refunded

I rang again and was told it was 30 days as that's what it says in their terms and conditions.

I have already spoken to trading standards and they just told me to tell the brokers

that I was entitled to a refund under section 155 of the customer credit act.

As far as the bank goes I was told to cancel my card,

but that these companies still have a way of getting around that too.

cancelling your debit card DOES NOT WORK

old wives tail as they get the money via CPA to your bank.

I will clearly state again ......

you both need to follow post 18 regarding CPA to your BANK. do it NOW via their 24/7 phone banking line.

the FCA have clearly stated banks MUST refund/refuse CPA under these conditions.

Hi all

It really angers me to see these nasty pieces of work doing this to people.

My friend and her entire household,

who rely on food banks,

have been extremely upset and traumatised by the 'illegal theft' of their money.

I know she was very naive to even give her details to one of these filthy companies but,

as many others are finding,

once one has your details they pass it along like a pass the parcel game;

except it's your money and life they play with.

On a happier note, and in no small part to you guys,

she has now received a full refund from her bank for ALL the money these filthy rotters stole.

dx - You're absolutely spot on, thanks.

Other people here who are struggling with their bank - take this all the way.

I know it's stressful, time consuming and frustrating

but don't leave these filthy people steal your money or allow your bank to get away with it.

We have all been hurt by these financial institutions for far too long.

Chip away at them one step at a time.

This is your money. (Rant over )

more like legal theft

dx

more like legal theft

 

 

dx

Should be illegal !!

................

 

she has now received a full refund from her bank for ALL the money these filthy rotters stole.