Late payment charge even with Direct Debit setup

Ryiah

Hi,

My husband and I have a Tesco Clubcard Credit Card and we have a monthly direct debit setup to pay the full amount. I got an email reminder 5 days before the due date (3rd Sept) and I double checked the Direct Debit, just to make sure it was set up and it said 'pay in full 3rd Sept'. So I left it at that.

We then checked the statements yesterday (6th Sept) and noticed the CC hadn't been paid and no money taking from our joint account and we had incurred a late payment fee and interest on the balance.

My husband phoned up Tesco CC and they said they tried to take the money out on the 28th Sept, but Halifax wouldn't allow the money to be withdrawn. We did only have £88 left in our joint account but an arranged overdraft of £100. The balance to pay was £141, so it should've been fine.

Neither companies informed us of that payment was refused and we have now got a late fee and interest to pay on the CC. If they had informed us, we would've paid the balance before the due date from our own account (instead of the joint). My Husband informed them of this, but they weren't interested.

Is there any course of action we can take to reclaim our fees? This is the first time this has happened and we have had the card for 1 year.

Thank You

stephane_2

You need to be speaking to your bank and not tesco as to why they refused the direct debit...did you have any outstanding amount that were due to come out of your account, as that could be the reason why they did not allow the DD

jjww_2

I take it you mean they tried to take the DD on 28th August if that is the case that may be why as I know my bank will not allow DD to be taken early. If Tesco have tried to take DD early it is their fault therefore any late charges and bank charges for refused DD should be refunded to you. However 28th Aug was a Saturday and DDs presented then would not leave your acc till the next working day which due to bank holiday was 31st Aug which is still 3 days prior to the date it was supposed to leave your account.

Usually banks and companies notify you of unpaid DD by post which can take up to 10 days (daft I know I think they only do it in the hope you will be overdrawn for longer therefore incurring more charges)

I would ring your bank and tesco and confirm details exactly when and how direct debit was refused.Under the DD guarantee:

If the originator or the bank/building society makes an error, the customer is guaranteed a full and immediate refund of the amount paid.

Dont let them palm you off as it is obvious one of them has made a mistake and is now just trying to pass the buck.

Good Luck