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Virgins late payment policy is ridiculous

Last post Wed, Aug 27 2008, 7:49 PM by maxsteam. 1 replies.
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  •  Wed, Aug 27 2008, 6:47 PM

    Virgins late payment policy is ridiculous

    Hi All.

    When going away on holiday my daughter left 21.80 pence in her account to pay off her direct debit to Virgin. On getting home 3 days after the payment was due out. She recived notice from Virgin stating that her last payment had not been paid.

    She phoned her bank and realised that the payments had now gone up to 22 ppounds, so it was 20p short.

    She recieved a letter from Virgin asking her to phone confirming that she could still make her payments, and that any payments due could be paid over the phone. So she duly phoned them only to be told that they had stopped her direct debit account. To restart it they want the 22 pounds due(fair enough) plus 18 pounds for non payment by the end of the month (its only been three days said she) tough said they thats the way it goes. Plus 10 pounds for a late payment Plus another 22 pounds for the next month. (72 pounds in all) oh yes and they want some money for setting up the account again. Well she says i have the money for this month payment right now can't i pay it off as in the letter. No say they its not in our policy. BUT I AM ONLY THREE DAYS LATE!!! tough say they.

    Great customer care or what!!!!!

    • Post Points: 20
  •  Wed, Aug 27 2008, 7:49 PM

    Re: Virgins late payment policy is ridiculous

    I believe that it is a requirement that, if a company wishes to change the amount of a direct debit, they must notify the customer in advance.

    http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/27/27-directdebit-guarantee.htm

    If you did not receive the notification, you can dispute the charges on those grounds. In this case, Virgin should readily see that they are at fault, particularly if you offer to send copies of bank statements showing that, while £22 didn't go through, a £21.80 payment would have been processed without any problems. You can also state that you feel that the charges cannot be justified as reasonable in any circumstances.

    • Post Points: 5