Podclubs charges: what are these random payments and how to stop them

Unrecognised payments to ‘Podclubs Ltd’ have appeared on people's bank statements triggering a flurry of reports to Which?.

Podclubs has no active website or social media pages. Reports claim that indiviuals have never knowingly signed up for any memberships with the firm and have never received any communication or services from Podclubs in return for the money taken from their bank accounts.

Read on to find out more about Podclubs payments and how to stop them.

Why is Podclubs appearing on bank statements?

Podclubs uses a continuous payment authority (CPA) on bank accounts after gathering payment card or bank account information. 

The individuals who don't recognise the payments may have handed over information online or over the phone thinking they were giving it to someone else. Personal data may have also been bought.

A CPA allows companies to take any money from your account, whenever they believe you owe them payment. It’s different to a direct debit or standing order.

You may have CPAs set up for regular subscription products or services you buy, such as a magazine subscription or gym membership. 

Unscrupulous companies can use CPAs to take your money without your permission if they get hold of your name, payment card number or bank account details.

'Payments appeared out of nowhere'

The individuals who have complained to us about Podclubs were all aged 85 or over. 

They told us they first noticed unexpected charges of between £69 and £99 on their bank statements that they didn’t recognise.

The transaction information on their bank statements includes a phone number, which some tried to call to find out more about the payments.

One person told us that she had called the number and spoke to someone who claimed they were from ‘The Rewards Club’. She was asked to confirm her bank details, name and address to confirm the cancellation of the payment plan. A few hours later, a further £99 was taken from her account by Podclubs, followed by another £99 payment a week later.

Another person told us he discovered Podclubs had been charging his 90-year-old mother £99 a week over four months. Despite cancelling the CPA, Podclubs continued trying to charge her, although her bank was able to block the charges.

When Which? tried calling the phone number included in the bank transaction details, the calls went to voicemail. 

What to do if you’ve lost money to Podclubs

If you have made payments to Podclubs which you don't recognise, contact your bank and explain a CPA has been set up on your account without your permission. 

Ask the bank to both refund any money you’ve lost and to cancel the CPA immediately.

Sometimes banks class this type of issue as a customer dispute but tell the bank that you believe it is fraud. Insist the CPA is cancelled straight away to prevent any more money being taken.

Don't call the Podclubs phone number that may be included in the transaction details on your bank statement.

Unfortunately, if you’ve had an unauthorised recurring payment like this set up once, you could be targeted again in the future by similar firms operating under different names.

Keep an eye on your statements and get back in touch with your bank if you notice anything suspicious. If the problem keeps happening, you may need to consider getting a new bank account.