Make sure your clothing accounts are PROPERLY CLOSED! A horror story...

If there ever was a compelling example highlighting the importance of ensuring proper closure of accounts, this is it.

A woman believed she had closed her Edgars account last year, only to receive a demand for payment exceeding R6000.

The account had not been properly closed, emails were being sent to an incorrect address, and unbeknownst to her, Edgars added four insurance policy premiums to her account each month.

Her husband, feeling desperate, reached out to CapeTalk's John Maytham.

He explained, "We subsequently went and settled the outstanding balance and requested that the account be closed, but we are now being hounded to pay R6139. We have made no purchases at Edgars after closing the account but on visiting the Cape Gate store we were told that the amount is for insurance and the account is active - it was not closed as requested so insurance was charged."

After contacting RCS, the company managing Edgars' accounts, CEO Regan Adams informed Knowler that the outstanding balance was settled, but a settlement balance was never requested.

This revealed an amount of R534.14 still owing due to VAS (value-added services).

Adams explained they received no request for closure, allowing the account to continue billing for these value-added services.

He says that monthly statements were sent via SMS, confirmed by their reports indicating successful delivery.

As a resolution, they have decided to waive the remaining balance on the account and close it, given the circumstances.

Knowler emphasises the significance of requesting a settlement balance.

Additionally, she suggests insisting on a confirmation letter of the cancellation.