cancelled direct debit taken, please help

purplehearts066

Hia all

Just to give some background, I had a direct debit which should be taken on the 1st of the Month with the Council.
I cancelled it by online banking yesterday. When I did so, it said on screen that the direct debit had been cancelled, and under my list of direct debits it was listed as 'cancelled' and not 'active'.

I just checked my bank account today (sat 1st may) and the money has been taken and I am overdrawn!
I checked my list of direct debits again, and the direct debit had changed from being listed as 'cancelled' to 'active'.

This has left me in a lot of trouble with no money for the weekend. Aside from the fact that even if the direct debit WAS taken, I thought it should have been taken AFTER the bank holiday; I thought under the under the direct debit guarantee i had the right to cancel a direct debit at any time? And surely if they were unable to cancel it, it should have said so on screen rather than saying it had been cancelled? Is there anything I can do??? Thanks all x

opinions4u

The process of collecting a direct debit takes around three days.

You cancelled it after that process had started.

You were too late to stop this one going out.

purplehearts066

Heya, i thought the direct debit guarantee states that a direct debit can be cancelled at any time?

oliviasmummy

I was also recently told that if you only cancel the direct debit with your bank the company still have the right to request the funds and the bank have to pay it as you have agreed to the direct debit with the company. The majority of the time just cancelling on your online or via branch etc is sufficient but I was told that some companies will still take the money if you haven't cancelled the payment with them also.

custardy

purplehearts066 wrote: »

Heya, i thought the direct debit guarantee states that a direct debit can be cancelled at any time?

yes but you left it too late before the payment due came out

iamana1ias

Payments are almost always put aside before the weekend/bank holiday too.

RayWolfe

purplehearts066 wrote: »

Heya, i thought the direct debit guarantee states that a direct debit can be cancelled at any time?

It can ... but not if it's already been paid!

jambosans

opinions4u wrote: »

I just checked my bank account today (sat 1st may) and the money has been taken and I am overdrawn!
I checked my list of direct debits again, and the direct debit had changed from being listed as 'cancelled' to 'active'.

Is the payment pre-dated for Tuesday? If so, it showing today is irrelevant, it's simply your bank pre-processing payments for after the bank holiday weekend.

opinions4u wrote: »

The process of collecting a direct debit takes around three days.

You cancelled it after that process had started.

You were too late to stop this one going out.

You can cancel a Direct Debit with your bank or building society after a company has begun the collection process. Companies will often refer a customer to their bank for cancellation, if they request the Direct Debit cancelled during this timeframe.

Although o4u's general point still stands, it appears you were too late to stop it going out. For instance, some online banking services require one working days notice to reflect changes, after which point a cancellation cannot be guaranteed.

Bacs are vague on this issue of cancellation timescales:-

Bacs_-_Direct_Debit_help_centre wrote:

Your bank or building society can generally make the cancellation up to and including the due date, but try not to leave it until the last minute or you run the risk of a payment being made.

So they are basically implying you cannot guarantee a cancellation right up until the last minute. It can be done, but depends on your bank and channel of contact.

See below for more details:-
Bacs Website - How to cancel a Direct Debit

pmduk

This happened to me once. The bank had already corrected it an re-credited my account before I called them.

jonesMUFCforever

I agree it could be credited back to your account by Tuesday.
If not then go to the bank to claim the payment back by indemnity.

mikey72

What time of day did you cancel it, and who's your bank?