Incorrect Direct Debits

Hi everyone, we have a holiday home near Torrevieja and have banked with Bankinter since 2007.

In May 2017, 166euros was taken by bank for house insurance.

I printed copy of receipt prior to out October visit and was surprised to read it was for a different company, different address, different amount,different name but our account.

I took it to Bankinter who confirmed it was an error and they said they would process a refund.

It is now 18th March and still no refund. I will be visiting bankinter before end of April to chase this up.

Has anyone experienced similar?

Thank you

Brian 

Even if your bank organised the insurance the payment was via direct debit which means any problem has to be taken up with the issuer as your contract is with them although all details, apart from your acc.number, has changed.

Suggest on your next visit you get a gestor to sort it.

good luck.

The way I read that, the bank itself was the issuer ("taken by bank for insurance", as opposed to paid by bank). Either way, yes, in my years in Spain I have known plenty of DDs go wrong, which is why I still pay everything I can in cash on receipt of bills if possible. Obviously not an option for non-residents though. But if you have online banking, you should keep a very close & regular (daily if poss!) eye on your account - it's amazing just who can help themselves to your cash. You should also have an option (may depend on your bank) to immediately cancel any payments you don't agree with - probably within a certain time e.g. 15 days.

On a side note, I also took the option of a prepaid debit card from Sabadell (for a small annual fee, of course) and only use that for any online transactions, first adding the exact balance needed only to the card, then leaving the balance at zero. This avoids the possibility of anyone with my card number getting any cash out of me without me knowing.

Brian

If when  you visit you not get satisfaction immediately  I suggest you demand the complaints form and that you complete it no matter what promises are made.  If the bank put things right just tear up the two copies you will have   If they don’t within two weeks take the consumer’s office copy to that office in the town hall