I'd never heard of them until I saw that they'd taken money from my bank account. I have used Payday loans in the past, so maybe it was one of those companies which passed my details on?

I didn't bother contacting Smile Finance after I had a refund from my bank, I reported them for fraud though...let's hope they get what they deserve soon!

I tried giving them details of my pre-paid Mastercard, but they said it showed up as a credit card, so therefore couldn't be used! Idiots. Yeah, I'd be worried if my circumstances changed and I could afford to pay it all off, they'd probably still try to collect the payments. I'd maybe save the money aside, and then once the balance is down, you could use it to pay it off a month or two early. Have you noticed that they have a new "product" now? Their 'Flex-Credit' option, where you can top up your loan after you've borrowed...that's just asking for more repayment plans to be implemented! The temptation for those who are desperate (which most are if you have to take out a Pay Day loan, I certainly was), is all too great.

You would have thought it'd be quite easy to set up a Direct Debit, but they're probably playing dumb (doing a very good job at it too!) At least with a Direct Debit if they collect more than they should have done, you should be able to claim an indemnity claim from your bank. They have details of an account that I use only for my a couple of my creditors, so they cant get near my wages! On the day that I'm free from PDL's, I'll have to celebrate getting free from the parasites...

I agree with you that they don't know what they're doing, that's for sure! I received an initial confirmation by email, and they've taken the money today. I understand that they need to send one letter, but one per month? I hate the usual robotic responses from them too, it drives me mad.

Hi all, So I have a repayment plan with Quick Quid, which I had to default on the original repayment, in order for them to agree to the repayment plan - which is fine and affordable. They have however sent me a default letter, with their logo stamped across the envelope. I don't think this is very confidential and also quite embarrassing, as I live with family and don't want them made aware of the situation as I'm now in control. I talked to one of their reps on live chat, who stated that they have to send me one each month until my balance is paid off, is that true? I've found that when I defaulted on my credit card, once I'd come to an arrangement with them, I didn't receive any more letters. Any advice would be appreciated, Many thanks!

Exactly. Their automated email worried me, maybe they should word them better... The day I'm free from the PDL's, I'll breathe a huge high of relief!

Thank you for the advice. I have a separate bank account for my wages, and also use an Orange cash card for some of my creditors, just to make sure my wages are safe. I managed to get through to them in the end, and the person that answered said that as long as I reset up the payment plan online asap, then there won't be any charges added, and the £411 would only be charged if I didn't set this up. I had to wait until 10pm so I could set this up The annoying thing about doing it online though, is the Income and Expenditure form, there weren't enough fields for creditors and day to day living costs, so I had to put more money in some fields, to make sure that they didn't suggest I should pay back more than I can afford!

Hello, Last year I managed to get on top of my finances and agree repayment plans with many of my creditors, including Wonga. Wonga were hard to deal with at first - insisting I pay double, but eventually accepted what I'd offered. I once had to amend the amount I pay per month, which they did over the phone no problems asked. I had to go part-time at work recently due to a long term health condition, so have had to readjust what I can pay my creditors. I called Wonga two weeks ago assuming I could do this over the phone - but they said I had to wait until my repayment plan defaulted and do it online! So my payment didn't collect yesterday, and I couldn't see this option. So I emailed them saying the £315 remaining is to be split into 4 equal payments taken on the last working day of each month (with the exception of Mays one which will be taken at the beginning of June). I received an automated response, stating a reply will be within 24-48 hours, but then this morning I received another email stating that my repayment plan will end at 10pm tonight, and they will then try and collect £411 - which has the charges on top! I've tried calling them today, but have been on hold for an hour - with no answer. Has anyone else had the same problem or can anyone offer advice? Many thanks

The dispute department of Halifax refused to dispute this for me, stating that because I've used Pay Day loans before I must have used Smile Finance. Even having being so desperate to use PDL's in the past, I'd never pay money upfront for a loan which probably won't materialise, plus this company can only be contacted via an online form - which of course they never reply to. I was told by my bank to wait for a response from them before they would even consider doing anything. The lady I spoke to said if she disputed the payment, because of my use PDL's in the past, the dispute would probably get refused, and she wouldn't listen to me, so I hung up, then complained via their online form. The funny thing was when I told them the Continuous Payment Authority had to be removed, they said they couldn't do it, as they had taken a payment, they had authority to take whatever they were owed. I pointed out to them as I had never had any contact with this company, or bought anything from them, a CPA couldn't exist in the first place, so therefore nothing should need to be removed, just make sure it doesn't happen again. The complaints team from Halifax called me, and said if you've enquired about any of these loans in the past, they can still share your info to other companies months afterwards. So there may be something in the small print which means they can get out of this, hence my bank not wanting to help. In the end I got the £26.34 back and a £25 gratuity payment, and they advised me to contact Trading Standards, which I will do. I will also contact Action Fraud, and close this account as I worry they may try again. I do find it worrying how banks are unwilling to help in these situations. It's also frustrating when I'm finally getting my finances in order, for money to be taken out of my account, and made to feel like trash from my bank. It seems that if I had a glowing credit score, and plenty of money in the bank they'd refund the money no questions asked! EQI Independent Trading Ltd who trade as Money Warehouse and Smile Finance, don't seem to be authorised at the moment, according to the FSA Register online, although please correct me if I am wrong: https://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/firmBasicDetails.do;jsessionid=d117c87f70b44fba8973b14114ad8d95.s6fNml1Ka38InBbv-ArJrwTPoNCNa30Ocybtah0IaNuIahiIbh0IaNfwmxiInxiObk9ynhvybMSHc30Ka2aToi5hch0Na2TSn7bvq70KawTAqQ4InQXQ-BjF8NaQb3uPawbMnkrDqRfzqwbMnkrDqRfzqwbynknvrkLOlQzNp65In0__?sid=113273

Hi Replicant. I am also in the Pay-Day Loan trap, but have thankfully managed to agree plans with most of my lenders - which has then allowed me to pay off the other loans with the surplus money. Hopefully in a few months I will be rid of them! I had to set up a bank account at a different bank, to ensure that money for essentials was kept safe from the PDL's. Lloyds, Nationwide, HSBC, and Halifax all offer a decent basic account. I called Wage Day Advance asking who to contact in regards to a repayment plan, and they set one up for me over the phone, and confirmed by email. Just say you are in financial difficulty, but don't agree to anything you can't afford! They have been the most helpful and flexible of the lenders I have dealt with by far. I'd say email Vivus & Access Fast Money asking for a repayment plan, and requesting for any interest & charges to be frozen. If you have to speak to them over the phone, although most wouldn't recommend it, ask for everything to be backed up in writing, by email would be best so you have this quicker. Ask for bank details if you can so you are in control of payments. I'm also paying off 2 of my loans by a Cash Card - this isn't connected to my bank account, and ensures they can only take the amount agreed. I have a free one with Orange Cash, but there are others available in shops. I have only dealt by email with PDL's, aside from Wage Day Advance, as I prefer to have emails for my records. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Hi all, I was unsure which forum to post this in. I've previously posted on the forums in regard to my Pay Day Loan mess - which is on its way to being paid off now. Anyway, this morning I had an automated call from my bank, and asked me to call their Fraud dept. I called them and they said £26 for Smile Finance had gone through. I have never heard of them or had any dealings with them. They appear to be a loan broker of some sort. I worry as I have had someone hacking into my Pay Pal account before, obtaining my bank and card details (which the fraud dept know about). My card was cancelled when this happened, but I never changed bank accounts. As I have a few payments going towards my repayment plans with the PDL's, the rep on the phone tried stating that I must have some dealing with them, due to other loan payments, despite me telling her that I don't! I said I revoke any CPA with this company, as I don't know who they are, but of course she said they can't do that, and they can also apply for more if they wish! Despite me reading out the FSA guideline proving I was correct. The bank said I need to contact smilefinance first before they would do anything, and if they have my details on file, there is nothing they could do, as I must've applied, but forgotten. I'm so frustrated with this, as I don't know why my bank flat out refuses to act on a request to cancel a CPA - even when there shouldn't have been one in the first place! My bank said to wait until Tuesday until contacting their dispute dept, to give the website time to reply to me...I'm just worried in that time they will take more money. smilefinance.co.uk don't have a telephone number, just an online contact form. Has anyone else had any contact with this operation and if so, any luck or a phone number? Also, any tips on dealing with my stupid bank would be much appreciated Kind regards

They wouldn't take it, but I am sending this on along with a letter of complaint! They do seem to think they're above the law - even rules that the FSA themselves set. I'm glad to hear what PDUK said was a load of rubbish, thought they must be telling porkies. Thankfully as I have to get up at the crack of dawn, my money is now safe, rent & bills safely in my housemates account, the rest safe just in case the CPA kicks in!

I went into my bank today and asked them to remove the authority, and handed them a letter. They said this can only be removed as a fraudulent transaction, which they couldn't do there, but as I spoke to the fraud department the other night to cancel my card, this may be okay. Unfortunately it seems my bank don't seem to know an exact answer. Although Wonga said my card is now showing as expired so wouldn't work anyway... I've revoked the CPA with them in writing too. All I know is I'm moving my money to another account with Halifax first thing tomorrow morning (a savings account which apparently can't be touched by anyone else). I can relax a bit more once I get my new bank details through! I've had little sleep this week with worrying so much. I managed to get PDUK's bank details from them, but they state I have to make the transfer from RBS or Nat West, as nowhere else can do the transfer. Does anyone know if this is actually true? I would've thought a faster-payment bank transfer from my bank would be fine. Thanks to anyone who's given me advice in this thread, or whose advice I have read in other threads. There is light at the end of the tunnel...

Good to know, thank you. I will do just that tomorrow!