It’s easy to sign up with a company that provides you with information on your credit. But it may be more difficult to stop the company from deducting funds from your bank account.

Electronic transfers of funds are an easy way to make payments on such things as utility bills, health club memberships and other services. There are specific guidelines under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act that establish the rules and regulations for this type of payment. The rules, however, aren’t always followed.

A case in point: a consumer tried unsuccessfully for several months to stop electronic transfers of funds to a company that promised to safeguard her privacy. She kept notifying the company she no longer wanted the service. Now she is faced with trying to get a refund.

In fact, a major complaint registered by consumers who use this method of payment is getting the transfers stopped. If you are use electronic payments, you might consider stopping the electronic payments before you actually want to stop receiving the service. It may mean you pay by check for a couple of months but this may be easier than trying to recover funds.