(WSVN) - Have you ever read the details on your cable or credit card or any other bill? If not, you might be surprised to find you are paying for something you never ordered and then what do you do? It’s why one man called Help me Howard with Patrick Fraser.
Jonathan Wainsztein certainly knows the insurance business from the inside.
Jonathan Wainsztein: “And what we do offer is, to the community here in South Florida, all lines of insurance. Auto insurance, homeowners — anything that is properly related.”
When you sell insurance, you know how important it is to read the details on policies and contracts, and Jonathan was reminded of that a few weeks ago with his credit card payment.
Jonathan Wainsztein: “So I paid it off, 100 percent, and I sent the check. I was very proud of myself. I sent it off.”
Jonathan liked that he had a zero balance … and then…
Jonathan Wainsztein: “The next month comes, and I see on my bank statement that there is a balance of $3.99, so I said, ‘I know I paid it off.'”
Jonathan called his credit card company…
Jonathan Wainsztein: “And she said it was a protection that the credit card company offered which would protect you in the event your wallet was lost or stolen.”
In other words Jonathan, the insurance man, was paying $3.99 a month for insurance in case he lost his credit card.
Jonathan Wainsztein: “I definitely did not remember ever signing up for any protection program. She went on to say that I’ve had that program since February of 2007, so that’s over nine years.”
Do the math. For over nine years, Jonathan had been paying $3.99 a month for that credit card insurance: a total of about $438.
Jonathan Wainsztein: “It does add up, and I was very upset because it’s something I did not do.”
Jonathan asked the company to show him where he agreed to pay for the insurance. They could not. He asked for a refund for the nine years of payments. They would not.
Jonathan Wainsztein: “And for me, it is not right. It’s the principle.”
Well Howard, Jonathan is certain that he did not agree to pay for lost or stolen credit card insurance. Can he get his money back from the past nine years?
Howard Finkelstein: “If the company does not have proof that you signed up for a product, they have to return your money. But the law has a statute of limitations, and because of that, they only have to return money from the past five years. Although they can and they should return it all.”
We contacted Discover Card. They told us they would look into but couldn’t discuss Jonathan’s account with us. However, we got what Jonathan wanted. A few days later, he told us Discover returned the entire amount he had paid over the past nine years. More than the credit card company legally had to refund.
Howard Finkelstein: “Every once in a while, review your monthly statements. Whether it’s a cable bill, a power bill, a credit card bill — any bill you get. Read it and make sure you are not paying for something you didn’t ask for, no longer need or can live without. It’s a way to save a few dollars.”
Jonathan caught the mistake on his statement, and has his $438 back after calling Help Me Howard.
Jonathan Wainsztein: “Super happy that I did. I’ve been watching for years and years, and just the fact they were able to help me, and I felt helpless.”
And give the credit card company credit for refunding it all. Now if you get your bills online, don’t just look at the total, look at the details in case something was added that you didn’t order.
Charged up after battling a problem? Ready to make a statement? Contact us. We don’t want any credit. We just want to ensure you get help. With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser 7News.
CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
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Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
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