Credit Card Payment - Orange Broad Band

[Marcus]

Just to advise you about making payment by Credit Card to Orange, once they have your details they can continue to take money from your credit card account without your consent or knowledge, even if it's not your broad band account.

Just before Christmas a friend cancelled her broad band with Orange but was unable to settle her bill over the phone. I used my credit card to make the final payment against the letter that stated the account was closed.

Looking at my past statements Orange have again taken two further payments from the account, without informing me and without my permission. Remember the internet account is not in my name, because of that, they will not listen to what I have to say when I rang them, only wishing to deal with the account holder.

In speaking with my card company apparently they are obliged to make the payment, they are not able to do anything about this. It is a practise that they say that other companies, O2 & Sky to name two also carry out.

So, be warned once they have your credit card details it appears that they can take what they want when they want without informing you. I have been given details to contact 'Retail Disputes' at the credit card company if it goes unresolved.

I now have to wait and contact the account holder to try and resolve the issue with Orange. I feel a little writing coming on as well, I am sure that the matter will be finalised eventually.

Marcus [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[TheFatControlleR]

[ QUOTE ]
Just to advise you about making payment by Credit Card to Orange, once they have your details they can continue to take money from your credit card account without your consent or knowledge, even if it's not your broad band account.

[/ QUOTE ]

Most companies that deal with continual billing operate like this, and it does apply across their services. I think you'll find (in the small print/T&Cs) you do give your consent - as for knowledge; you also indicate you've read the small print/T&Cs. 'You' in this case being your 'friend' who presumably didn't pass on that bit of info...

Also, how had she been paying for her Orange Broadband before cancelling; one assumes either CC or DD! However it was surely that's how the finbal invoice after cancelling should/could have been paid.

You say they've taken monies from you via your CC for services, presumably, but you don't say whether they were legitimate invoices. If they weren't then the account holder needs to deal with it - if that the case why isn't she. If they were legitimate... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Seems to me the lesson you've learned is never stand surety for anyone with your financial details without reading the small print... And, I think the real issue here is whether the invoicing was correct or not.

[dl004a1528]

Might I suggest that you report to your Credit Card Company that you have 'lost or mislaidd' your card. Your card would then be cancelled and, if you request it, a new card will be issued with a different number. Orange then will be unable to deduct monies from your account as I understand it.

[Marcus]

TFC,

I understand where you are coming from, the account holder had moved address and was in receipt of the letter threatening to invoke a price rise if the monies were not paid.

The payment made by me was done to make things simple before Christmas and the postal delays. Earlier payments were by cheque with the invoice/payment notice being tendered at the bank.

What was made clear at the time the final payment was made, was that it was indeed the final payment and that the account holder was in possession of a written notice stating that the account was closed.

The payments that were later taken were without notice, from an account that was not in the name of the Orange account holder. It might be said that the invoices were sent to the old address, but were not the subject of being forwarded on by the post office as had been arranged.

I must admit to being one that does not read all the small print, what shocked me most was that they were able to take the money out in the first place in the manner that they did. It was never mentioned that my card details would be retained for future payments to be put through, on what was to all intense and purposes a closed account, in someone elses name.

As I mentioned earlier I have no doubt that this matter will be resolved, I was wishing to point out to others that this was a billing practise carried out by certain businesses.

Marcus.

[Marcus]

Dennis,

Thanks for the info, I need the card though next week for an overdue holiday, somewhere where the sun melts the snow a little quicker.

Marcus

[wildthing666]

You could send a letter to the head office stating you paid on your card for the money owing on (letter reference number) as a one off payment for a friend and if they do not repay the amounts listed with dates within say 21 days you will proceed with action in the county court (small claims court) without further notice to them.
Just remember to clearly show each amount separately and if another amount is due to be taken refer to that as well, also try and make it fit to one page as this is more likely to be read than a two or three page letter.

I did this when orange deducted money from my phone for a service I cancelled after the free period was due to expire it took them around 12 days to do


Name & Registered Office:
ORANGE BROADBAND LIMITED
SANFORD HOUSE, MEDWIN WALK
HORSHAM
WEST SUSSEX
RH12 1AG
Company No. 04875917

[Marcus]

Wildthing666,

Thank you for those details, apologies for the late reply I have have taken time out for a holiday. Having returned, I see that even though there were promises of a refund to the account holder, they have again taken a further payment for March on the closed account.

I have been refered to the 'Retail Disputes' office of the credit card company, who will send forms etc... It appears in speaking with them that this is a common complaint. I feel a campaign coming on, the address will be useful.

Thanks
Marcus