Disputing unauthorized charges on debit card?

[tasha99]

I had a similar thing happen last month at Staples. I swiped my card and put in the pin, then it said to use another form of payment. After doing that three times, I left with no merchandise only to discover the next day that Staples had deducted $80 x 3 from my checking account. My credit union told me the same thing yours did--try to get the merchant to correct it first. Staples could see the mistake (it happened to 3 other people) but they said the bank would have to fix the error because they never actually got credited any money on their end. So back at my credit union, they had me fill out an unauthorized charge form. I got my money back, but I had to try to work with the merchant first. It was a PITA, but I did get $40 in Staples gift certificates out of it (which pretty much matched my lost pay trying to fix the problem during work hours).

Hopefully tomorrow your landlord will be able to fix this problem. If not, you should be able to get your money back from the bank since it was unauthorized.

 

[MainStMandy]

Why would you think they'd do anything? Banks are in it to make money. Yes, they mostly all have "Zero Fraud Liability" if the charge was unauthorized- but when the charge went through, they didn't know it wasn't authorized.

Why would they decline the charge and notify you when they can wait and let the fees rack up because you didn't keep an eye on your account? Why don't you have overdraft protection?

I check all three of our accounts daily and balance them to the penny weekly. They all have more in overdraft protection than we would ever spend in a day, even though we should never need it because I balance them fanatically. Why not protect yourself?

I don't understand what you wanted them to do.

I expect my bank, just like my credit card, to protect me if someone uses my card illegally. There is no reason to look at my account EVERY day when I don't use it every day. That account I have barely been using at all, except online bill pay.

That is why you don't use a debit card, which directly debits funds from your account, for things like that. ( I didn't read the whole thread, did you ever sign a form and give him the number?)

I don't even use my debit card at restaurants where I "add" a tip.
Thats what credit cards are for, where MY money to live off of isn't tied up in a mess like this.


(BTW, I work for one of the top 5 banks in our country- I see this crap all the time, it's not theft if you gave him the number unless you signed something saying "I only authorize this much to be charged on this day" with nothing else on the paper, or unless you didn't give him the number at all)

Sorry but I don't use "real" credit cards. I am in the process of working off debt incured when I was married...not that it is any of your business.

It is theft. I never signed a damn thing to say the landlord could use my card. I paid rent ONE time...and apparently because they had save my numbers they felt they could use it whenever they want. WRONG. I paid over the phone and never even signed anything for October much less signing something saying they had permission to use that card again.

I revert back to my OP...I'm dealing with UNAUTHORIZED charges on my debit card.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

That is why you don't use a debit card, which directly debits funds from your account, for things like that. ( I didn't read the whole thread, did you ever sign a form and give him the number?)

I don't even use my debit card at restaurants where I "add" a tip.
Thats what credit cards are for, where MY money to live off of isn't tied up in a mess like this.


(BTW, I work for one of the top 5 banks in our country- I see this crap all the time, it's not theft if you gave him the number unless you signed something saying "I only authorize this much to be charged on this day" with nothing else on the paper, or unless you didn't give him the number at all)

Some of us aren't as privileged to have that option....I know I'm not, because still to this day, I have not learned how to use a CC properly, so neither DH or I own one.

 

[MainStMandy]

Well I got everything straightened out this morning. The landlord took full responsibility for it. Apparently she didn't shred my email when I paid rent in October and then while she was on vacation someone took that and paid Novembers rent.

They are refunding my rent and taking the overdraft fees off November's rent. She was apologetic but I've had enough. This is just one more reason why I am glad I am moving out of there.

Thank you to those who shared stories and understand where I am coming from.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Why does your landlord have the ability to charge anything to your debit card at all? I'm not understanding this..

Yes, if you give them access it will happen. I don't know how you dispute charges that you have authorized.

Glad to hear she covered it. Be careful when you allow it.

 

[RitaE]

Well I got everything straightened out this morning. The landlord took full responsibility for it. Apparently she didn't shred my email when I paid rent in October and then while she was on vacation someone took that and paid Novembers rent.

They are refunding my rent and taking the overdraft fees off November's rent. She was apologetic but I've had enough. This is just one more reason why I am glad I am moving out of there.

Thank you to those who shared stories and understand where I am coming from.

Are you saying that you sent your Debit Card number out in an email? That is incredibly dangerous, please don't do that.

I'm glad it worked out for you, it sounds like the Landlord made it right first thing Monday morning. Sometimes you just have to be a little patient and people do make mistakes.

 

[KAMLEM]

Well I got everything straightened out this morning. The landlord took full responsibility for it. Apparently she didn't shred my email when I paid rent in October and then while she was on vacation someone took that and paid Novembers rent.

They are refunding my rent and taking the overdraft fees off November's rent. She was apologetic but I've had enough. This is just one more reason why I am glad I am moving out of there.

Thank you to those who shared stories and understand where I am coming from.

So in the end it looks like it was just an innocent error, not theft. Mistakes happen.

 

[MainStMandy]

Yes, if you give them access it will happen. I don't know how you dispute charges that you have authorized.

Glad to hear she covered it. Be careful when you allow it.

I didn't authorize it. I authorized ONE charge...nothing after that. I don't know what I'm explaining wrong that a bunch of you seem to think this is ok. It's not. If I used my card online to make a purchase I wouldn't expect that merchant to be able to use my card whenever they like. There was NO authorization to do this, PERIOD.

Are you saying that you sent your Debit Card number out in an email? That is incredibly dangerous, please don't do that.

I'm glad it worked out for you, it sounds like the Landlord made it right first thing Monday morning. Sometimes you just have to be a little patient and people do make mistakes.

Yes I know, but I have been having so many problems with the landlord I like to have a copy of EVERYTHING I do with them and a read reciept also. I know it wasn't the smartest move, but it doesn't diminish from the fact that they used it without permission.
I know I have to be patient sometimes, but this is another dumb thing in a long line that the landlord has done. So I don't always have patience with her.

So in the end it looks like it was just an innocent error, not theft. Mistakes happen.

Not necessarily theft but not exactly an innocent error either. Someone in the office charged my card without any direction to do so. No signature from, no email, voicemail or phone call saying that it was ok to do.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I didn't authorize it. I authorized ONE charge...nothing after that. I don't know what I'm explaining wrong that a bunch of you seem to think this is ok. It's not. If I used my card online to make a purchase I wouldn't expect that merchant to be able to use my card whenever they like. There was NO authorization to do this, PERIOD.

Oh so they are not supposed to take out the rent by debit?

 

[allison443]

OP, glad you got the problem worked out! Don't things like this always seem to happen on a weekend when they can't be fixed right away?
While you are speaking with the landlord, I would just make sure it is okay to pay the extra month rent (charged for breaking the lease) when you move out on November 30...I know you said you were going to give them a check then, but nothing was really said about when it was due. The landlord might want that resolved before you actually vacate the premises.

Good luck with your new place-hope it works out better for you!

 

[MainStMandy]

Oh so they are not supposed to take out the rent by debit?

I normally pay by check. I have only paid by debit for one month. They just assumed since they had the numbers they could charge me again except I wasn't expecting it since I never authorized it. Plus it was a week early so not all the rent money was sitting in my account yet. It still wouldn't have been ok but if they had done it on the 1st at least my account wouldn't have bounced.

OP, glad you got the problem worked out! Don't things like this always seem to happen on a weekend when they can't be fixed right away?
While you are speaking with the landlord, I would just make sure it is okay to pay the extra month rent (charged for breaking the lease) when you move out on November 30...I know you said you were going to give them a check then, but nothing was really said about when it was due. The landlord might want that resolved before you actually vacate the premises.

Good luck with your new place-hope it works out better for you!

Thanks! I talked to her this morning about the other month they are asking me to pay back. They will get their check before I move out so we are all good. I can't believe what a mess this turned out to be. I should NEVER have moved there!

 

[C.Ann]

I had a similar thing happen last month at Staples. I swiped my card and put in the pin, then it said to use another form of payment. After doing that three times, I left with no merchandise only to discover the next day that Staples had deducted $80 x 3 from my checking account..

------------------------

This happened to me at the Post Office with my Paypal debit card back when I was still doing eBay.. The PO said they were having a "problem" with their machine and kept swiping the card over and over and over again.. I finally paid for the items I was shipping with cash - came home - went on-line to Paypal and found every single time they had swiped the card, the money came out!! Hundreds of dollars GONE!! I called paypal immediately, they had me return to the PO and have the Post Master call them and all of the money was returned to my account..

Since then I have never allowed anyone to swipe my card more than once (I always carry cash on me) and can assure you that I never will again! They get "one shot" and that's it.. If for any reason it doesn't go through on the first swipe, I pay in cash..

 

[SydneyBristow]

Glad to hear it all worked out OK. I had a similar incident this afternoon and mine was also thankfully resolved.

 

[Piecey]

Some of us aren't as privileged to have that option....I know I'm not, because still to this day, I have not learned how to use a CC properly, so neither DH or I own one.

Your local bank workers will be more than happy to explain it to you.

I think it should be taught (along with general banking policies- how to balance a checkbook, etc) in school.

 

[MainStMandy]

Your local bank workers will be more than happy to explain it to you.

I think it should be taught (along with general banking policies- how to balance a checkbook, etc) in school.

That wasn't necessary.

Some of us just aren't comfortable using them, we know ourselves. No need to judge because we are being responsible enough to know NOT to use credit cards and put ourselves further in debt.

 

[just4today]

That wasn't necessary.

Some of us just aren't comfortable using them, we know ourselves. No need to judge because we are being responsible enough to know NOT to use credit cards and put ourselves further in debt.

How was that post judgmental? The PP stated she hadn't learned how to use a credit card. The response was completely appropriate.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

It's okay, it's okay. I didn't take the response to be demeaning or rude. Personally, I just rather not have a CC. I know me and I'm not putting my family in debt again. Especially not with a 10 month old child.

It's all good...let it drop please.

 

[GothTink]

So glad it turned out okay!

Man, there's a lot of judgment going on in this thread...