CSA want me to pay by DD - do I have a choice?

wah3344

Had a phone call yesterday from CSA saying that y payments are up to date but some were late by a day or two so I am non-compliant and have to pay by Direct Debit. They wanted me to provide DD details over the phone so I asked it to be requested in writing.
Got for and letter this morning from Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission asking me to send the form within 7 days.

I really don't want to pay by DD given all the horror stories on the forums and could pay a week earlier using the Paying in slips at the PO as I have been doing but is looks like they are not giving me a choice?

Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks

Zara33

I would ask to pay via standing order not DD.

Soubrette

wah3344 wrote: »

Had a phone call yesterday from CSA saying that y payments are up to date but some were late by a day or two so I am non-compliant and have to pay by Direct Debit. They wanted me to provide DD details over the phone so I asked it to be requested in writing.
Got for and letter this morning from Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission asking me to send the form within 7 days.

I really don't want to pay by DD given all the horror stories on the forums and could pay a week earlier using the Paying in slips at the PO as I have been doing but is looks like they are not giving me a choice?

Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks

Was the non-compliancy through any fault of your own? If not then perhaps you could argue your point with the CSA (I wouldn't hold out too much hope on that though )

Direct Debits do have a guarantee attached to them.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]The direct debit guarantee applies to all banks and building societies taking part in the direct debit scheme. It says that:[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]If there is a change in the amount to be paid or the payment date, the person receiving the payment (the originator) must notify the customer in advance. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]If the originator or the bank/building society makes an error, the customer is guaranteed a full and immediate refund of the amount paid.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Customers can cancel a direct debit at any time by writing to their bank or building society. [/SIZE][/FONT]

Taken from http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/27/27-directdebit-guarantee.htm

Could you offer a standing order instead? This means that the amounts taken are not variable. This does mean that if maintenance changes then you would have to set up a new standing order though.

Sou

Donedoingdebt

Soubrette wrote: »

Could you offer a standing order instead? This means that the amounts taken are not variable. This does mean that if maintenance changes then you would have to set up a new standing order though.

Sou

That is still much better than allowing the CSA to change the amounts whenever they wish without any notice, which they are able to do with a D.D.
I agree there are D/D guarantees, but just try getting the CSA to admit they're in the wrong & actually refund any payments.

Soubrette

Donedoingdebt wrote: »

That is still much better than allowing the CSA to change the amounts whenever they wish without any notice, which they are able to do with a D.D.
I agree there are D/D guarantees, but just try getting the CSA to admit they're in the wrong & actually refund any payments.

According to the financial services ombudsman, Donedoingdebt, that first sentence is wrong - the CSA have to advise you if the amount collected is to be changed and they have to tell you in advance.

Of course the practicalities are whether or not you want to go through the hassle of contacting your bank and/or the CSA if they do abuse the ddm system.

Sou

Booradley_2

Soubrette wrote: »

Of course the practicalities are whether or not you want to go through the hassle of contacting your bank and/or the CSA if they do abuse the ddm system.

Which is likely. They ride roughshod over rules. They might get told off but you may never get overpayments back.
Deinitely go for standing order. Set it up then tell them in writing. DON'T be talked into DD

Boo

Booradley_2

Forgot to add. We have had standing order for over a year and refused to go DD

Boo

wah3344

Thank you both for your replies.
I have over the last 4 years paid a day or two late on 3-4 occasions but cannot see why they would chase me as the payments have reached them and in any case they should be chasing those that don't pay at all.
If I refuse (I am thinking of writing back to say I will ensure payment reaches them 5 days in advance of the due date) to pay by DD can they enforce payment by earnings deductions which would be even worse?

Thanks

marksoton

wah3344 wrote: »

Thank you both for your replies.
I have over the last 4 years paid a day or two late on 3-4 occasions but cannot see why they would chase me as the payments have reached them and in any case they should be chasing those that don't pay at all.
If I refuse (I am thinking of writing back to say I will ensure payment reaches them 5 days in advance of the due date) to pay by DD can they enforce payment by earnings deductions which would be even worse?

Thanks

As far as the CSA are concerned that makes you non compliant. :rolleyes:

To be honest i would try and set up a standing order. They are able to slap a DEO on with impunity. Even then they may refuse to budge.

I have however had one current caseworker tell me that if you just set an SO up the CSA can be powerless to do anything about it.

Booradley_2

Don't hesitate with the SO. You have as much control over it as if you were paying cash into the Post Office. Write to them when it's in place, and hopefully they will leave you in peace

Boo

wah3344

Thanks for the advice and support. Any idea what their bank details are so I can setup the standing order?

Thanks again