Idea for an account..

LouisPlatt

I'm not sure if this is a suitable post or not but I would like to know if there are any banks that offer a facility like this. I would like it if my bank texted (SMS Message) my mobile phone to let me know if a direct debit payment was successful or not.

I think this is a good idea and I reckon that a lot of people who pay by direct debit would be interested in this kind of service.

mountainofdebt

To be honest that's why I use a budget spreadsheet and internet banking, so I know before the DD goes out and I don't get charged for a failed DD

grumbler

LouisPlatt wrote:

... I would like to know if there are any banks that offer a facility like this. I would like it if my bank texted (SMS Message) my mobile phone to let me know if a direct debit payment was successful or not....

Even if some bank would send you an SMS that a DD was unseccessful, it would be too late to correct something. You should plan your DDs in advance. The best thing is to apply for an overdraft and keep it unused for emergencies. In this case you will never be charged for bonced DDs. In worst case you will pay small interest for a few days overdraft.

davidlizard

First Direct used to have a free text service, which you could set up to receive all sorts of messages, such as alerts to when your account fell below a certain level, and alerts to any monies in or out whether by direct debit, cashpoint withdrawal, etc, above certain levels (the levels are user definable).

So therefore, all direct debits that went out I received on my mobile, along with a current balance. It did not report unsuccesful direct debits though, but otherwise was excellent way of keeping abreast of ones finances.

However, they recently started charging £2.50 a month for this service, so decided to cancel this service (and recently changed accounts completely to a better one).

Dave