that is my morning tomorrow mapped out then. Just looked on the Internet at my Spanish bank account and despite cancelling the house insurance with a company called Helvetia 4 months ago in writing to both the bank and the company (perhaps should have faxed it?) they have taken the 402 euros this month (2 and a half months after renewal date).

I am resigned to it being a long and drawn out affair to get my money back - nothing in Spain is straight forward.

Mind you it does make you smile sometimes. I was walking past our local bank and the only teller rushed out and said Senor Varche (for that is my name) can you come in a minute. You have 100 euros of someone elses money by accident - this man here :Senor Pobre, and we need your signature to take it out of your account! hadn't even spotted it in there.

El Varche

Spain is still a third world country masquerading under a thin veneer as a 1st world one with the exception of health care which is absolutely first class.

The 100 euros was just an administrative slip up probably got a digit wrong when it was being deposited.

The renewal will be some clerk somewhere spotted we hadn't paid and just overrode any markers on the account! Initiative.

Funny thing is you can have an embargo put on all your bank accounts for a minor infringement like not paying a bill you never were informed about. I had to ask for my car tax bill.

nice tho the sun is it can get to hot here!!

and thats not uncommon Varche as cancelling direct debit is just a nightmare!! have friends down the road who cancelled with ibebander 9 months ago and they are still taking the money every month!! telefonica are the same a couple are being taken to court for non payment to telefonica even tho they cancelled thier direct debit and closed the bank account, the bank still payed the direct debit and took the customer to court to get the money!!