Help me please - I've been conned. PPI claim back.

[CompleteMug]

I was telephoned yesterday by Lifestyle Claims - a company that works to claim back PPI's and other charges. It sounded kosher and the caller estimated that I'd get as much as £2000 back. I'm so strapped for cash at the minute and I'm looking at loads of ways of getting some money ready for Christmas, so I agreed to it.

It meant paying £359 or so up front (with a guarantee to get it back should there be no claim to pursue) so I used a credit card mostly, and had to pay about £100 on debit because I'd reached the limit on the credit card. I used DH's card too and even though they didn't have the permission from him, they took payment anyway.

Straight after talking to them, I googled them and loads of stuff came back from Money Savings Expert - not good news at all. I feel sick to the stomach and incredibly, INCREDIBLY stupid.

The claims pack is in the post - they said it would arrive today or tomorrow but without me knowing, even though I've paid this much up front, you have to pay an additional £11 per claim, and I have at least 5.

People who fall for this don't seem to get their £359 back either. My DH doesn;t know I thought I was being clever and would be able to surprise him with extra cash when the claims come back.

The company is only 5 miles away from me - I'm tempted to go in in person and ask to terminate the agreement. I have a 14 day cooling off period but still other people havn't had their money back.

I need to sort this ASAP, DH is going to go spare if he finds out. He'll never trust me to pick the phone up again.

Please help me. Feel free to complete tear me up, it's no more than I deserve for being so utterly, utterly gullible.

A receipt from them would probably not be worth the same as a recorded letter.

Deal with it professionally through post not by phone or in person

ooh = are you watching Watchdog?

Ok. I've sent it Special Delivery trackable.

Now off to watch Watchdog - thanks Sarah

Damn it. Think I've missed it - it's moved on to dodgy car stuff?

Update.
I went in in person to see if they'd received my request to cancel, and the manager (I made sure I asked his name) confirmed that they had and that the refund will be issued within 30 days. I asked for his assurance that this would be the case, he gave it.

No huge surprise then, that today, the 30th day, no refund has been given.

Can someone please, please, please help me form some sort of plan of action? I feel like going down there and sitting in the middle of their call room, refusing to move until they issue me the refund. But I'm tired, unwell (have just had bad health news) and don't seem to have the fight left in me.

Your first step is to put together copies of the original cancellation letter, receipt from PO of delivery and details Inc names where you have them of all conversations. Add a covering letter explaining that you are contacting MOJ and local trading standards and expect repayment by BACS at the end of the working week - if not you will instruct solicitors. Then send it to them today registered delivery, get it out today and it's with them Tuesday with enough time for repayment to your deadline. Once it's mailed call the manager you dealt with (be prepared for them to say he's left and so ask to speak to his previous supervisor and again keep names). Tell them what you've sent and that you will be calling every day to check progress ... and make sure you do. Don't accept their word that it will be paid back by x day.
So sorry you've been conned like this.

SeoraeMaeul, Thank you. I'll start doing that immediately.

I feel flat as a pancake and very, very foolish.

But, I'm going to tackle it and do what you've said.
Thanks again.

Any luck?

have you contacted your bank or credit card about the payment - surely you can initiate a chargeback?