This is a common pitfall.

The problem is that the recurring payment is usually seen as guaranteed. If you were supplying goods on installments you might regard that as essential but it's also exploited for recurring 'subscriptions'.

You might expect them to stop at card expiry but that seems not always to be case of card is renewed with same number.

Persoanlly I seem to conspire to either lose my debit card every couple of years or need it replaced due to a failed chip or compromise of the magenetic strip. That wil flush out any recurrent payments as payees question a failed demand.

Credit cards do need careful checking of statements but unlike the current account there are only a handful of transactions a month so 'rogues' are easy to identify.

It is easily done. I inadvertantly fell for this scam when buying an item from abroad through the internet. I noticed another payment on my card a few weeks later. I queried it with MBNA the credit card provider. they told me it was a recurring monthly payment. When I protested they agreed to stop the agreement and refuse any other payment requests under the distance selling regulations and I got a refund. Quite worrying really, if I had not noticed it could have continued for some time. They should be banned from credit cards and only done thorugh the normal banking system where we have some measure of control. Eternal vigilance on things concerning money is the key. You have to look after yourself in this world. Cheers Concrete