Can they legally charge something to my bank account without my permission first? Please read.?

Question

Here's the story. I have an account with Blockbuster Video and about 4 months ago my husband turned in a video late. I aquired late fees and I know that I'm bound to pay them but today, when I checked my bank account, I found a charge from Blockbuster for the amount of $24.44. I don't know how they got my bank information. I never gave them my bank information and I have been told that they can't legally charge my account without my permission. Now because of them I have a overdraft fee of $32.00 plus the $24.44.

My question is this...can they legally charge my account without my permission and how would they have gotten my account information. If they refuse to fix this can I sue them?

Just so you know I did call the corporate office and they said that they'd get in touch with the local store (that caused all this problems) and see what's going on. When I called the local store I was told that they had no idea why I was charge the money but the computer showed that I was charge. And I know that if I have a late fee I have to pay them and I will (if I have a late fee) but I don't appreciate being charge without them asking permission first.

Oh and I'm sure I have this in the wrong catagory but I'm not sure where I should ask this question. Sorry

Answer 1

Typically, you cannot open an account at a movie rental facility without a credit card so Im guessing that at one point, you did give it to them. You are gonna need a copy of the contract you signed in order to open the account. It may state that they have the ability to charge your credit card for late fees.  

Answer 2

The terms of your agreement probably allow them to present fees electronically. I would contact your bank's customer service and determine how the charge was presented. If you truly never showed them your debit or credit card, the information from one of your checks had to be used. That's a bit underhanded, not necessarily illegal though.

Answer 3

Perhaps your husband gave them your bank account info.