A company called Homeserve sent me a letter after i moved house telling me i had 3 months free cover on plumbing, drainage problems.Having read the first paragraph i had no intention of signing up after the three months so i consequently binned the letter.It now appears i should have rang them to tell them this so they assumed i wanted the cover and used a direct debit set up with south staffs water(Homeserve once worked in conjunction with South Staffs Water) and i am now paying £20 per month.
My blood is boiling,surely this is a scam.If i wanted a service i would have asked for it.Can i expect to get a full refund once i cancel the policy?
2007-10-23 05:10:49 · 9 answers · asked by Roodi 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I believe it is indeed now illegal to require someone to take action to stop a contract if they do not want it. So yes, you should be able to terminate the contract immediately and get a refund...
They are also NOT allowed to use a direct debit you have with another company for a different purpose to draw more money from your account - I would take this to Trading Standards....
2007-10-23 05:15:53 · answer #1 · answered by eriverpipe 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I've had these letters as well but as far as I know never been charged for not taking out anything with them - it's a scam anyway as Severn Trent are responsible for the pipe that Homeserve say they're not. They are not part of ST so can not be using a contract with them to take DD paymIent I live in South Staffs and Severn Trent are the water supplier. Cancel the DD and go to trading standards I think they've had a fair amount of dealings with these people as a lot of older people tend to think they MUST pay them, you'll understand how that happens by the look of what they send out, I will be checking my next bank statement very carefully!
2007-10-23 13:34:30 · answer #2 · answered by groovymaude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is mis-selling a contract and is an offence, report it to your local Trading Standards Department. I am with this company and I am being charged £4-99 a quarter, bit of a difference, but I did have to sign a Direct Debit. Contact your bank as if you didn't sign anything they guarantee to refund Direct Debits if there is a problem. Good luck.
2007-10-23 16:43:07 · answer #3 · answered by flint 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call in at your bank and find out how the direct debit was set up without your signature, cancel the order and then write to the company asking for a refund as you did not order the service.
2007-10-23 12:58:45 · answer #4 · answered by focus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you state where you live, it is hard to give an answer. However, the common-law contract rule is that an offer must be accepted, and silence can never constitute acceptance.
Unless you have had prior dealings with this company in which you agreed to this, there is no contract. You probably have an action for "conversion", which is the tort-law equivalent of theft.
2007-10-23 13:02:51 · answer #5 · answered by robert f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cannot see how they can bill you without your signature. Call wherever the debit is being withdrawn from and cancel the charges.
2007-10-23 12:31:28 · answer #6 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
firstly cancel the direct debit. you're entitled to do so,
2007-10-23 12:21:27 · answer #7 · answered by numpty 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
take it to the trading agency
2007-10-23 12:18:34 · answer #8 · answered by Perfectionist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ring them up explain, they will probably try and bullshit you stand firm chase and they will probably cave if not look into it further.
2007-10-23 12:19:35 · answer #9 · answered by R R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋