This is a reminder to be diligent about checking bank statements, especially if you have authorised direct debits.
I have a separate bank account set up specifically for direct debits of insurance and other payments. When checking my latest statement I discovered a debit of $64.95 from an unknown organisation. I checked previous statements and found the same company had been debiting my account for 3 months. I contacted the bank to find out who the organisation was, as it was only initials, I discovered that it was an interstate company similar to the Qld company. (A bit like RACQ and NRMA). I then discovered that the Qld organisation had passed on my bank details to the interstate company for some unknown reason. Both organisations have been debiting my account. The interstate organisation has said they will credit my account for the amounts taken out, that was three weeks ago and still no money.
I contacted my bank again to see what they could do, as it has been unauthorised debits. Was told all they can do is put a block on the serial number that the interstate organisation use. However, as organisations usually have multiple serial numbers, when they discover the block they can simply use another of their serial numbers to make the debit.
I will be contacting both organisations today to blast them both, and if no money, legal action is on the horizon.
I would be getting rid of both organisations once you sort your refund out and find another more ethical one.
I have had no problems yet with either, but found out recently that my insurance with SGIO is tied up with NRMA which is governed by a parent group (can't recall the name) which owns both companies....
I had Nrma insurance for app 3 years it was app $27.00 a month then it jumped up to $44.00 a month for my car being insured for $5,250 agred value.
I rand Nrma insurance to ask why my premium went up from $27.00 a month to $44.00? The girl said read the letter we sent out to you, it was explained in there, I replied as being a nomad moving around Australia I don't receive mail but I give a company my email to advise me of any changes, upon that I said well cancle my insurance and she replied oh sir there is a $30.00 fee to cancle your insurance with us, upon that I hung up, rang my bank to said I just lost my credit card to which Nrma used to deduct my payments each month. So they dint get there greedy $30.00 as I found a cheaper insurance online and gave them my business. Anyone with Nrma insurance read the clause and there you see if the $30.00 cancle policy fee. What next will they think off, I thought the banks were Ned Kelly's?
From Nrma site copy n paste ----------------->
You want to cancel your policy
You may decide to cancel your policy because you sell your vehicle or you
no longer want your policy.
If you tell us to cancel your policy and you:
paid an annual premium, we will refund your unused premium after
we deduct:
an amount that covers the period that you have been insured
for, and
a cancellation fee of $30 (plus GST and any other government
charges that apply)
pay your premium by monthly instalments, we will deduct:
any unpaid monthly instalments that are due, and
a cancellation fee of $30 (plus GST and any other government
charges that apply)
You authorise us to deduct those amounts by direct debit from the
account or credit card you previously nominated for monthly instalment
deductions. As we are only allowed to deduct the agreed amount
you previously authorised, we may need to collect the total amount you
owe us over a few months.
If you tell us to cancel your policy within the 21 day cooling-off period, well
Have been paying all my bills by direct debit for more than 15 years and so far have never had a problem, I use one dedicated bank account and check the statement every month, I find it very convenient to pay my bills this way even my council rates are paid monthly this way much easier than finding large amounts of money each year to pay the rates.
Cheers
David
Its not easy to cancel anything now they all want a cancellation fee. I purchased a dental discount card which after two years I chose not to renew. They said that I had to fill in a form to cancel it and the admin fee would be $25. I filled it in and sent a note to say my fee for filling in the form was $25 and to offset it against their fee. Never heard another word from them. Bloody conmen. Keith
