Unauthorized debit orders

saor

saor

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Just logged in to FNB and saw that I've had R89 withdrawn twice, via a debit order I never authorized. The company in question was StratCol, who act as agents doing the debit order for another company called TopAds. I phoned StratCol and was told I had to call TopAds. So I called them and they're a telesales company. When asked how they got my account number (I told them I don't entertain telesales calls) the operator said that someone else probably gave my account number by mistake.

They're going to cancel it and re-reimburse the money should the voice recording show that I never authorized the debit order.

But my question is: How does someone initiate a debit order without me authorizing it? Is it not the banks responsibility to safeguard my account & request that the appropriate authorization has been granted for debit order requests? I have to enter OTPs for all my online transactions and use passwords to log in to my account, but someone can take money from my account via a debit order without me even authorizing it? How is this possible and are there any measures one can take to prevent this from happening again?
 
Gerhardva said:
Nope, It's NOT the banks responsibilty. Google NAEDO and read up a bit, you will be shocked.
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So they can trawl the bins outside ATMs, get account numbers & set up debit orders without authorization(s)? Thanks for the info...I still find it strange that it's so easy to do this. I guess I'd like the same level of security all across the board: Someone wants to set up a debit order on my account - then it requires proper authorization on my behalf or a OTP or some modicum of security.
 
So basically I have to go through my transaction history each month, or check each month for any new debit orders which might magically have appeared? Got it. Load of bollocks really.
 
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saor said:
So basically I have to go through my transaction history each month, or check each month for any new debit orders which might magically have appeared? Got it. Load of bollocks really.
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I do this. Just to make sure. Also that everything that was supposed to be paid is paid. It sometimes happens that payments don't go off and I don't want to know about it only when I'm in arrears.
 
@supersunbird: Thanks - I did call the company in question & they said they'd refund next week, so we'll see. Still wish there was more I could do to prevent it from happening again.
 
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saor said:
So basically I have to go through my transaction history each month, or check each month for any new debit orders which might magically have appeared? Got it. Load of bollocks really.
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Its a good habit.

googoodoll said:
I do this. Just to make sure. Also that everything that was supposed to be paid is paid. It sometimes happens that payments don't go off and I don't want to know about it only when I'm in arrears.
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Or be like the guy who didnt check the insurance debit orders went off correctly when he switched bank accounts and now they don't want to honour his big claim on his 2012 car...
 
googoodoll said:
I do this. Just to make sure. Also that everything that was supposed to be paid is paid. It sometimes happens that payments don't go off and I don't want to know about it only when I'm in arrears.
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Likewise, it also lets you pick up where you are wasting money on stuff that is not really necessary.
 
supersunbird said:
Its a good habit.
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And FNB would agree. After a lengthy conversation with them today it's the account holders responsibility to check their statement each month for any inconsistencies, and to report them so that they (unauthorized debit orders) can be stopped and dealt with. Just gonna have to make a habit of it. I feel for those people who aren't able to check their statements / understand them...they're the one's these companies are profiting from.
 
I had an unauthorised DO on my account this month. Just emailed my banker and asked him to return it as unauthorised, and he did.
 
Would be cool if they could set it up so debit orders show up in your online bank profile.

New ones could be loaded and authorized online. Old ones canceled.
 
How to make a million in one day:

1) Open account with debit order service provider
2) Look any where on internet for one account number for each bank to get basic layout of account numbers.
3) Add hundreds of thousands of similar combinations
4) Take R99.00 from each account
5) Withdraw money
6) Enjoy cocktails on tropical island.

You're Welcome.
 
Freaksta said:
Would be cool if they could set it up so debit orders show up in your online bank profile.

New ones could be loaded and authorized online. Old ones canceled.
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If I block debit orders on my IB, it gets blocked for 6 months :D
 
froot said:
If I block debit orders on my IB, it gets blocked for 6 months :D
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These fsckers are clever, they come back next month with slightly different details.

This should be illegal for anyone to simply load debit orders, there must be authorisation from the client side else it does not go through. Catering for this on internet banking would be cool.
 
I dont see the problem. Honestly I do not. I give bank my money to safeguard. I think that is actually the definition of a bank. So the bare minimum I would expect, is that they do some checking or require my signature when someone want to withdraw some of MY money. WTF
 
lol my father was paying for a service in Durban even though we live in JHB :erm: He stopped that company and now finds another one taking money.
 
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