Direct Debit Queries

frameyboy · 3 July 2012 at 10:57AM

Hi,

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered, I have searched high and low on the interent and on this forum but couldnt come across anything that related to my question.

Basically, I have a current account with several Direct Debits set up. I have now moved my wages to a new Current Account and have told everyone to move the Direct Debits over, however I am worried that they may still try and take these out of the old account.

I can delete all the DD setups from my old account through my internet banking but i am not sure if this sends them a message to say I have cancelled them?

Does anyone know if it is ok to go ahead and delete from the old account?

Thanks,
Harrison

Frozen_up_north · 3 July 2012 at 11:32AM

I don't think it does send a message. I did exactly that with a company who wrote to me inviting me to continue for another year with their service, however the letter did not include a means to cancel... Bit of a cheek, so I wrote to their registered office cancelling the service and cancelled the direct debit at the same time.

Needless to say about three weeks later I received a letter saying they were unable to collect on the DD and unless I made alternative arrangements they were cancelling the service!

missrlr · 3 July 2012 at 11:36AM

Phone the companies and ask them to confirm if they have the new details - most will write and confirm this anyway. If not change there and then, then cancel with your (old) bank account.

frameyboy · 3 July 2012 at 11:38AM

They have confirmed they have my new details however not received any confirmation by post. I may leave it a few days and if I receive confirmation then i will cancel them.

Thanks for your help

JohalaReewi · 3 July 2012 at 12:47PM

frameyboy wrote: »

Basically, I have a current account with several Direct Debits set up. I have now moved my wages to a new Current Account and have told everyone to move the Direct Debits over, however I am worried that they may still try and take these out of the old account.

This can happen so if you can, arrange for enough money to be left in the old account to cover the ones you don't know have switched.

If your new account has internet banking, you can often see the new direct debits as they are set up.

I can delete all the DD setups from my old account through my internet banking but i am not sure if this sends them a message to say I have cancelled them?

Yes it does. Ideally, you don't want to delete the old DD until you know the company has started to use the new one. Some companies (like gas, elec, etc.) who require you to be on DD to get a lower tariff will instantly move you to thier most expensive tariff as soon as an active DD is cancelled.

alanq · 3 July 2012 at 1:00PM

When I cancelled a direct debit for a building society (which I had set up to make deposits into a savings account) I received a letter from that building society acknowledging the fact and inviting me to set up a new one.

Buzby · 3 July 2012 at 1:09PM

It would certainly be courteous for them to confirm to you that they have the updated details and when they next plan to debit, but I'm afraid this is no longer common. Providing you remove the old DD's from your profile, you should not have to worry about them taking amounts from the wrong account.

That said, incompetence is rife, and even if they get it wrong and don;t take the money, you will still be blamed (as the obligation is on you to pay on time, even if they don't take the funds they are entitled to).

Keep a close eye on your accounts during this period!

davethorp · 3 July 2012 at 1:22PM

Your probably best not cancelling any direct debits until you get a letter from your new bank confirming the switch is complete and a list of which direct debits have transferred over and which haven't. You can then manually update the companies that haven't updated their details.

Normally direct debits on the old account will cancel automatically once the switching process is complete. You should keep an eye on both accounts though during and shortly after a switch just in case any direct debits take you by surprise on either your old or your new account

Hazzanet · 3 July 2012 at 1:51PM

frameyboy wrote: »

I can delete all the DD setups from my old account through my internet banking but i am not sure if this sends them a message to say I have cancelled them?

Yes it will; it appears on their ADDACS report.

Depending on how their software is set up, most companies will ignore the message as it relates to the old bank account, others may erroneously cancel the new instruction if it has the same reference number.

Hope that helps.

Direct Debit Queries

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