Unlawful Direct Debit?

[KeefS]

Mmmm, interesting.

I looked at my bank account today and found the following direct debit had gone out.

 

Payee name HOMESERV UTD UTILS

Payee reference HSS 350683070

Amount £1.00

 

Strange seeing as I had never even heard of them.

 

I have cancelled the DD and contacted Homeserve and United Utilities via email (discovered after their phone lines had closed for the night).

 

How did these people get my account details?

Why did they take my money? (I know it's only £1, it's more about the principal)

Why did my bank pay it without my authorisation?

 

Any further advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

[slick132]

Hi KeefS - thanks for starting your own thread.

 

Looks to me like an admin error by Homeserve or the bank.

 

I suggest you write to the bank and ask them to explain why this DD was made without your authorisation.

 

[foxyflugel]

Homeserve is the company that does extra cover for house electrics, drainage etc. We have it and I feel sure that when I first took it out they give you a trial period discounted - hence the £1 - unless you cancel it they will keep taking it.

[yasminb]

I found the same problem lately KeefS Did you try to claim your money back?

[yasminb]

HomeServe fined £30 million for widespread failings

 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued its largest ever retail fine of £30,647,400 to HomeServe Membership Limited (HomeServe). The FCA found that HomeServe had serious, systemic and long running failings, extending across many key aspects of its business. In particular, during the period January 2005 to October 2011 it mis-sold insurance policies, failed to investigate complaints adequately, its Board was insufficiently engaged with compliance matters and its senior management were reluctant to address risks to customers if there was a cost implication involved....

[slick132]

Hi Yasmin and welcome to CAG

 

You have resurrected a 4 year old thread so it may be that those who posted here before may not respond now.

 

If you have a current issue to discuss, please feel free to start your own new thread.