DSTV Account suddenly reactivated

[Big Rat]

Sure you wanna admit that here?

I'm a big softie with eyes that work better than Puss in Boots' eyes. I'm safe I think

 

[RoosTa]

Not really as simple, my bank (FNB) didn't want to do it over the phone. Asked me to come in to the branch. Problem for me, as they decided to close the closest branch to me a few years back, now it's an 30 minute drive to the closest one. And there's always a queue.
Luckily, I don't have problem now, they hit me last year. Fortunately, my problem was resolved, though I had to wait it out for two months. I just hope it won't happen to me now...

Huh, I phone FNB Telephone banking and they did it within minutes.

 

[The_Ogre]

Not really as simple, my bank (FNB) didn't want to do it over the phone. Asked me to come in to the branch. Problem for me, as they decided to close the closest branch to me a few years back, now it's an 30 minute drive to the closest one. And there's always a queue.
Luckily, I don't have problem now, they hit me last year. Fortunately, my problem was resolved, though I had to wait it out for two months. I just hope it won't happen to me now...

I don't quite know FNB's types of bank accounts (I'm a Standard Bank client), but if I were in your shoes I'd seriously consider getting a transactional account which has a banker to handle my banking needs.

The benefit (especially in your case) would be that you just call or mail your banker to do the things you would normally have to go to a bank to do (except changing contact details, you have no option but to go to the branch for this). That's because your banker has some power of attorney on your account.

I have literally not seen the inside of a branch for YEARS!

 

[system32]

I think the word stole is a bit harsh. If its a legitimate system issue then contact them and get it sorted.

I just wonder if DSTV did this on purpose.

DSTV have 5.4m subscribers.
Assume the "legitimate system issue" affected 10% of the 5.4m subscribers = 540,000 subscribers.

540,000 * R1,000 = R540m

If 1% of the 540,000 don't notice, DSTV get to keep R5.4m

Not bad of a "legitimate system issue".

DSTV are quick to bill, slow to refund.
They also place the burden the consumer to detect the "legitimate system issue", call them and get the money back.
Does not sound fair.

 

[Nerfherder]

I just wonder if DSTV did this on purpose.

DSTV have 5.4m subscribers.
Assume the "legitimate system issue" affected 10% of the 5.4m subscribers = 540,000 subscribers.

540,000 * R1,000 = R540m

If 1% of the 540,000 don't notice, DSTV get to keep R5.4m

Not bad of a "legitimate system issue".

DSTV are quick to bill, slow to refund.
They also place the burden the consumer to detect the "legitimate system issue", call them and get the money back.
Does not sound fair.

It affected people who cancelled with a positive balance (or just a positive balance), that could be any number of people.

I rate there are a lot who wont even know, those who don't get sms notification... perhaps the older generation are affected more.

 

[Username:]

So seeing that I can't get through to Multi choice I thought I'll pop a mail to my FNB private banker.

Not much luck either. Seems like anyone can just run debit orders on your account as they please

Response from FNB:



Trust my email finds you well.

Following attached inquiry, you would need to resolve this with the merchant directly for them to explain to you as to why they ran the debit order on your account and for a permanent cancelation of the debit order. The bank also offers an alternative option where you can place a stop payment on the debit order to try and prevent it from going off your account, but this is not a permanent solution and if the service provider changes any of their debit order collection details the debit goes through.

I can assist you with placing a stop payment on the debit order, however if I place it from my side the bank will charge R50.00 as opposed to being charged R5.00 when you place the stop payment via your online banking.

Please see below steps on how to place a stop payment via online banking’

· Click on My Accounts,
· Click/hyperlink on your Cheque Account,
· Click on the Menu ( which is in Orange colour) on the left hand side
· Click on the Stop Debit order at the bottom of the screen, then click on the Menu button again
· Then click on the Add Instruction
· Then you will have the list of your debit order and you can click on the stop next to the debit order
· The finish the process
Trust you find above in order.

 

[insect]

Same thing happened to me last year, had a sub in 2010 for the world cup which I canceled right after the event was over.

They debited my account March 2014 so I tried to phone them, had to wait in line like one of their clients... gave up, phoned the bank, got through on the first try and told them to reverse the charge. Standard Bank reversed it immediately, since it was the same day.

So I emailed them cos their phones are always busy - told them to delete my details. Got a call about 3 days later apologizing for the mistake and requesting me not to reverse the order - told them its done gfy.

Thing is, I use that account only for my debit orders, so I just deposit the amount needed for the orders I accepted and signed for. Luckily for me I caught it early, if I left it another day some of the smaller ones would have bounced, Standard bank has a nice penalty fee of R110 per debit order...or an honoring fee of R130 per debit order if there is not enough funds...

 

[Tweakd Out]

my mom's account as well ,was cancelled 3 years ago

 

[Username:]

Dear Jaws

During our recent system upgrade, your services were reconnected in error. As a result, we might have incorrectly debited funds from your account. We have arranged an electronic refund with our Finance team, which will be processed today and should reflect on your account within the next few days.

We apologise sincerely for this error, and would like you to rest assured that we are doing our utmost to rectify the situation so that you are never inconvenienced in this manner again.

Kind Regards
Natasha Abed
GM: Customer Care

 

[Richsav]

So I am not the only one affected by the Multichoice mess-up. I cancelled and deactivated my long running account in April when my son took over our DSTV set up with the Explora 2 year deal (I couldn't get it because I'm too old to qualify). Two weeks ago I get an SMS telling me I had to pay R3000 plus into the defunct account if I didn't want my service cancelled. Bearing in mind I hadn't used the service since April I ignored the SMS. Lo and behold I then get a call on my cell from a very nice and articulate lady from Multichoice who said there would be problems if I didn't cough up pronto, like immediately. I carefully explained the situation , that I had deactivated the a/c in April this year and that I had asked that the credit balance I had be transferred into my son's new A/c for Box Office purposes. Not too long after I get another SMS saying my DSTV connection had been cut because I hadn't paid. Too bad hey! Still have a service through my son and I didn't even know the other obsolete decoder was still connected. Seems Multichoice needs to get their act together.

 

[stevenv]

Never do debit order. Too late for most though. Scheduled payments is the only way to go unless amount fluctuates or debit order is required (eg. loan)