I have been scammed by this lot too. If you are absolutely 100% certain you did not sign up for their services, or that you definitely did not click on the free offer and "go through to the 3rd party website and enter your bank details again" then you may have a case for breach of The Data Protection Act.
Here some questions to consider:
1) Did you receive any kind of notification, email confirmation, membership number, membership identity, request for you to confirm your membership, either online or by paper post? Any idea what you have bought?
No? Me neither. No idea whatsoever.
2) Did you at any time give this company your 3-digit security code on the back of your debit card.
No? Neither did I.
3) Does the transaction on your bank statement have the description LV8*GB Discounts "CARD PURCHASE* by it?
Yes? So does mine! Oh gosh and they told me on the phone it was a direct debit subscription membership. How confusing!
And you know why they told you that?
No? I'll tell you:
Because the 3-digit security code on the white strip on the back of your card is for you to give in lieu of your being present in the actual shop or trading premises of the vendor. In other words, you need to be able to remember giving this company your 3-digit security code over the phone, or over the internet.
You didn't? Neither did I.
Which means the second party in your transaction (ie. the vendor, the person you are buying from) has somehow let this THIRD PARTY get hold of your bank details, in particular your 3-digit security code.
Does it matter? Yes. It's a breach of the Data Protection Act and what's more, if one company has it, who else around the world is going to start dipping into your bank account?
If somebody took the wallet out of your jacket, or the purse out of your handbag, you would make a fuss wouldn't you?
Well, this is the same. So you need to take action.
1) You have to report your card as compromised and get a new one with a new 3-digit security code. Ask your bank to cancel that card and send you a new one.
2) You need to report the transactions to the Fraud Department of your bank to stop these companies taking any more money out.
3) Ideally you need to close your bank account and move to another bank.
4) You need to go on to the Citizens Advice Bureau website and make a complaint under the Data Protection Act. Please do this. Even if they give you your money back, they have taken your bank details without permission, so please report them. The CAB are very helpful and understanding.
You need to review your whole policy of buying online and I don't have an answer for that.
This problem has cost me days and days of grief and money.
And finally,
It's not just me.
In my new bank, they told me that "they were awash with this problem and if more people complained they could do something about it."
In front of me in the bank, another customer was having the very same conversation as I was, trying to get unauthorised debits stopped!
So please, let it be known that it has happened to you.