Is this something the Financial Ombudsman could help with? I know they have dealt with a lot of brokers so will probably be able to help. You can make a complaint with them too but if it's such a dodgy company it probably won't make much of a difference...

Your bank are wrong. These charges are often not explained clearly so you can request a charge back, especially if the broker never set you up with a lender that you borrowed from.

You have a couple of options to get your money back once it has been taken. You can request a charge back as these fees were unauthorised, or you can approach the brokers and ask for a refund. The refund will be all that was taken minus £5. If you have any trouble getting the refund, or if there is no easy way to contact them on their websites, talk to the Financial Ombudsman. They have dealt with a lot of this recently from several brokers, and can guide you through what to do next. You can also make a complaint to them. These sites aren't necessarily designed to mislead people, but they aren't always clear as to what will happen once you have entered your details. You need to make sure you always read the T&Cs carefully, and not provide your bank details unless you're 100% you're happy. As for the unsolicited texts and emails, there isn't really much you can do other than unsubscribe from them. They will stop eventually on their own, but since your details have already been passed on it is difficult to stop...

You should talk to the Financial Ombudsman. Not only can they lay out your options for you, but if you feel its necessary you can make a complaint about the charges and the way your case has been handled. They're very good at making companies reassess these costs! I think this story is a warning to anyone who wants to take out multiple payday loans. There is always other options out there.