Direct TV

Thanks for the heads-up Dvx.

As far as automatic "pulls" from my checking: NEVER AGAIN!

My first wake-up call was when I switched home-owners insurance and my mortgage holder didn't have record of the new coverage. They decided to yank an extra $550 per month to protect their liability. It took six months to get them to stop and issue a refund. It was during that time that I learned that the only way to force them to stop was to close my checking account. (which as it turns out, I should've done)

The second time occurred when I paid off that mortgage, and the SOB's took a payment several weeks later anyway.

The third time was when I switched auto insurance carriers, and a full month later, the former insurance co. sucked out $270. I'm still working on getting that refund.

Yep, no more. Don't let anyone pull from your checking - it's a nightmare.
 
Actually banking has changed....
Companies pull the money from your accounts without permission from your bank. Have you noticed there aren't near as many armored trucks running around anymore? Armored trucks used to transport checks back and forth to the banks, so they could "process" the checks. Have you noticed if you write a check, the business runs it thru the computer and hands you back the check. That's because the money is withdrawn electronically, therefore no need to armor truck the check to the bank.
If you dare, look into it. It's scary.

To bring my thoughts into the 21st century.....
Debit cards are nothing different than a paper check in its electronic version. I won't use debit cards, and don't write checks if at all possible. Everything goes on a credit card that gets paid off at the end of the month....OR, I just use old fashioned cash!
 
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Yeah - maybe I wasn't clear: once you authorize a business to draw from your account, you can't, nor can your bank stop them.

I never authorized DirecTV to draw from my account. If I don't pay within the grace period, my screen goes blank and says "call customer service". I login to their website, authorize a CC payment and the picture comes back the second I hit enter. (they don't ding my credit with this method, if anyone's wondering)
 
I understood you Roller. What opened my eyes was a Gym membership that I couldn't stop...without closing my account, which I did. Dang gym got 3 months of dues before I closed my account.

I should clarify, this was after my contract ended, and I wanted to end my membership, AND they did an automatic renew.
 
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We never authorize payments from our bank accounts (we use CC for recurring charges like the gym), but we do use checks for things like our mortgage. Can they pull the account info off the check and hit our account without our authorization?
 
The Direct TV / AT&T was not an auto pay it was just the check showing up in our account but without notice from Direct TV it showed as a withdraw by AT&T with a check number. I'm not a AT&T customer I didn't know what the heck it was until my wife figured it out. Direct TV is now AT&T.It has nothing to do with auto pay.All I'm saying is if you have Direct TV don't be surprised when you get a withdraw in your checking account from AT&T that was wrote to Direct TV.
 
JeffM said:
We never authorize payments from our bank accounts (we use CC for recurring charges like the gym), but we do use checks for things like our mortgage. Can they pull the account info off the check and hit our account without our authorization?
Click to expand...

As I understand it yes, the check has a routing number on it that gets them into your account. BUT, I have to believe no honest business would do that, and jeopardize their livelihood without provocation.
 
RollerCoastr said:
I wish you'd tell my bank that!
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In the example of 'the gym won't stop taking payments' this would clearly apply.
Limited Stop-Payment Privileges

When you use an electronic fund transfer, the EFT Act does not give you the right to stop payment. If your purchase is defective or your order isn't delivered, it's as if you paid cash: It's up to you to resolve the problem with the seller and get your money back.
One exception: If you arranged for recurring payments out of your account to third parties, like insurance companies or utilities, you can stop payment if you notify your institution at least three business days before the scheduled transfer. The notice may be written or oral, but the institution may require a written follow-up within 14 days of your oral notice. If you don’t follow-up in writing, the institution's responsibility to stop payment ends.
Although federal law provides limited rights to stop payment, financial institutions may offer more rights or state laws may require them. If this feature is important to you, shop around to be sure you're getting the best "stop-payment" terms available.
 
It sucks. It's a terrible system that puts the consumer at a considerable disadvantage. I'm not sure if Woody conceded or is standing ground with that document... I've seen it before. My institution said they can stop it, by closing my account. It is indeed BS, but it's reality.

Ironiclly, I chose not to close the account because I had other automatic drafts setup - all of which eventually screwed me.
 
I'll stay "old school" until they force me otherwise...I do absolutely NO online banking....I pay mortgage/utilities/and any other household bills by writing checks (ironically I don't except checks at my place of business)......I trust NO ONE.
 
Woody said:
Power?:smt043 I don't know what the agreement is that you signed, ...what does it say, what are you obligated to do?
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Heck yeah power man. Like is being eluded to, my bank told me they would not stop payment to the gym. I had to work out a deal with the gym to stop the billing! I called BS and told the bank to kiss it, pulled my money, and closed my account! haha Then I said go ahead and pay them next month!
Then the manager came out and asked me if we could work out something so I didn't leave the bank. I told him hell no, you didn't protect me, so see ya.

The contract I signed with the gym didn't specify as I didn't fully read the 10 page (exaggerated) contract. But I actually paid for the years membership in cash, in full! The manager said he needed a check to hold as security. haha I was dumb and gave him one. Apparently there was a automatic renewal agreement in the clause, and in order to stop the membership, I had to stop it in writing 3 months in advance! I learned all this after the fact.
I learned me a good lesson. Hence why I did the research and found out what I did. SO, I don't, won't do that again......hopefully. haha
 
islandhopper00 said:
Heck yeah power man. Like is being eluded to, my bank told me they would not stop payment to the gym. I had to work out a deal with the gym to stop the billing! I called BS and told the bank to kiss it, pulled my money, and closed my account! haha Then I said go ahead and pay them next month!
Then the manager came out and asked me if we could work out something so I didn't leave the bank. I told him hell no, you didn't protect me, so see ya.

The contract I signed with the gym didn't specify as I didn't fully read the 10 page (exaggerated) contract. But I actually paid for the years membership in cash, in full! The manager said he needed a check to hold as security. haha I was dumb and gave him one. Apparently there was a automatic renewal agreement in the clause, and in order to stop the membership, I had to stop it in writing 3 months in advance! I learned all this after the fact.
I learned me a good lesson. Hence why I did the research and found out what I did. SO, I don't, won't do that again......hopefully. haha
Click to expand...
I'm wondering, what is the lesson you learned.
 
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