Australian consumer laws related to automatic charges?

LKazielle on 18/12/2016 - 14:06

Hi,

I signed up for a website slideshow service last year via a promotional price code for $150ish. I believe I unchecked auto-renewal. A few days ago I noticed a $300+ charge taken from my savings account (I stupidly used a debit card so don't have the protection afforded by a credit card, as far as I'm aware - I need to fix that). The company appears to have activated the auto-renewal and auto-charged $300 for another year of their service. $300 is a lot of money for something I have no intention of using again (especially at Christmas!) - I can't let this slide. I went to their site support and of course one of the first things in the FAQ mentions there are absolutely no refunds or partial refunds related to automatic charges. Sigh.

I've sent them a polite email requesting a refund but I don't have much hope. I believe they're a US company. Is there anything I can do to get my money back? I haven't used the service since I've been charged for it. Any avenues I should be taking? Thank you for your help.

Financial

Comments

  • Baysew on 18/12/2016 - 14:17

    Does your debit card have a Visa or Mastercard logo on it?

    • Agarwal on 18/12/2016 - 18:00
      +1

      Exactly, even if it's a Visa or MasterCard Debit card you can still do a chargeback if it's unauthorised.

      • djkelly69 on 19/12/2016 - 11:36

        Don't think you can enter the details of EFTPOS card, so would have to be wouldn't it?

        • Agarwal on 19/12/2016 - 12:20

          Yep

  • garetz on 18/12/2016 - 14:53
    +1

    Do you believe you unechecked auto renewal ? Or did you actually uncheck it, that makes a world of difference. Your only chance is to goto your bank and report the transaction as unauthorised. See what they can do to help you.

  • isthisreally_me on 18/12/2016 - 15:05

    "I believe I unchecked auto-renewal."

    You believe or you did? If you didn't then its on you.

  • bongom on 18/12/2016 - 15:20
    +3

    This is why I always take screenshots when cancelling?

  • JIMB0 on 18/12/2016 - 16:10

    I always change the card number/cvc/expiry to make sure that if they try charging again it won't work. Or just use a prepaid card for these sort of services.

    • havebeerbelywillsumo on 18/12/2016 - 16:41
      +1

      JIMB0 do you mean "change my details on the site after having subscribed successfully"?

      • JIMB0 on 18/12/2016 - 21:15

        Usually there is an option in your account to update your details. I just change a few payment details so they are invalid, ie. change card number, expiry date or cvc. Next time they go to charge your card it won't work as the details are invalid.

        Or use a prepaid credit card to pay the initial amount then use all the funds down to zero so they won't be able to charge anymore.

        • havebeerbelywillsumo on 18/12/2016 - 21:52

          Thanks, I just wanted to make sure I understood what you were saying. Excellent idea that I'd not thought of.

  • Randxyz123 on 18/12/2016 - 16:34
    +1

    Are you SURE you unchecked it? I suspect you didn't. The only thing you can do is hope they refund you on this occasion.

  • kryptoz on 18/12/2016 - 22:50
    +1

    I agree with the above — the card issuer will typically allow you to cancel the transaction if it's within the 30day period. Most Gold/Platinum cards also have an added level of purchase insurance to protect against this type of thing happening to their customers.

    I also take the occasional step of having my credit card reissued as 'lost', so that my old card number won't work any more. You could also use a prepaid card for the same end, though some merchants won't accept them, eg. Gymnasiums.

    Also, NEVER give out your bank account number for direct debiting, (except for mortgages/car loan) — a couple of times I have been bitten from this issue, where unscrupulous businesses 'accidentally' start double-charging your monthly payments, and you have to call your bank a reverse the transaction every month, because the bank has no authority to cancel a direct debit authority. The only solution once you have a direct debit problem is to close the account, then open a new one.

  • jaackyy on 19/12/2016 - 00:29

    Australian consumer law is just that unfortunately, Australian. If it's an American company, ACL won't help you here at all.

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