It seems as though 1 and 1 Internet just simply can’t help themselves and have taken yet more money from my account for domain names which I have correctly cancelled, well actually they are domain names which their Transfers Department cancelled on my behalf!
On the 5th May 1&1 took £175.90 from my account for domain name renewals which on the 18th April 2011 I have an email from their Transfer Department to say that they were successfully cancelled and were sorry that I felt the need to complain about their services. (If you do not know about my ongoing saga with them, see my previous blog posts about 1&1)
So you can imagine my thoughts when I find my bank account light of a few notes with 1&1′s name next to the transactions
But fear not my friends! I took action last month which would protect me against such an instance and changed my billing details with them to Direct Debit knowing full well that if they continued to charge me for domain names which I had quite rightly cancelled and moved to Domain Monster that I calls simply call up my bank and get the money back. Which is exactly what I have done.
For those of you not fully familiar with the Direct Debit Guarantee Scheme here is the standard working below:
Direct Debit is the only payment method with a money back guarantee.
The Direct Debit Guarantee
- This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits.
- If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit (insert your organisation name)will notify you (insert number of) working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request (insert your organisation name) to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request.
- If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by (insert your organisation name) or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.
- If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when (insert your organisation name) asks you to
- You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.
In short people, if you have or are experiencing a similar situation with 1&1 Internet, why not change your billing method from debit/credit card to Direct Debit and if they take money from your account that they have no right to, you can be safe in the knowledge that your bank can reimburse the money for you whilst the issue in sorted out.
Screw You 1&1!
1 and 1 Direct Debit Indemnity,
