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Held hostage by my debit card
By Deb |
Last month, I decided to save money by bundling my satellite service with my Internet and telephone services. Even though I would be charged a termination fee for canceling my other contract early, in the long run I would save much more money by bundling all three services together and going with a different satellite provider. So I canceled my other contract and enrolled in the bundle package.
The former satellite provider had my debit card information on file and used that card to pay what was left on the bill. Knowing that I had to work the termination fee into my budget, I called the company and asked them to send me a paper bill so I could pay at the end of the month. I told them not to use the debit card information on file. The customer service rep said, “We can’t do that.”
I have to admit that I was a little taken back. At that point I told the CSR that I would not authorize use of that card for the final bill. I needed to pay at the end of the month with a check. She said I couldn’t unauthorize the use of the card. They would use the card until they got their money.
Since when have we lost the right to control our own money?
Why do vendors have the right to use our debit cards or credit cards against our will? I couldn’t believe it when I heard it. I even called my debit card issuer, and the CSR advised me to report the card as lost or stolen, cancel the card, and apply for a new one with a different account number. She said I could not block the vendor from using the card against my account. So I did just what she suggested to avoid having the money taken out of my bank acccount.
I find it outrageous that these companies are holding our financial information hostage. I was so irritated that I reported the situation to the Attorney General’s Office. I’ve received a complaint number, and I’m curious to see what their response will be. I’m sure this is a case where the law protects the company over the consumer, but I also think it’s outrageous when a consumer loses control to deny the use of a debit or credit card by a company who holds it on file.
Topics: Credit Cards, Debit Cards |
May 19th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
That is scary…that they could just use your card after asking them not too…glad you could cancel it. In Canada we can’t use our debit cards like credit cards like the USA can but I bet it will get here eventually. This is an interesting youtube video that someone sent me.
NORTH AMERICAN UNION & VCHIP TRUTH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo