Two direct debits for same payment?

Spark

I have checked my direct debits on my online bank account, and I have 2 same direct debits, one started in 2000, and the other one in 2009. They both have the same reference, so I guess it's for the same monthly payment. I have never had any problems with payments being taken twice.
Is there a reason for it to be like this?
Would it be safe to cancel the first (2000) direct debit, without creating problems with the payments?

chris_m

Does the online banking system tell you for each one when it was last requested? If so and one of them was last requested some time ago but the other was recently, then I reckon the one last requested longest ago should be safe to cancel.

Spark

No, it doesn't tell me when it was last requested. The payment just happen every months.

dzug1

The payee has set it up twice for some reason - or in error.

Be a little wary of deleting one of them - your bank will tell the payee it's been cancelled and they may not check to see that there is still a valid one there and stop collecting altogether

If it's not causing any problems I'd leave it as it is.

curlytop12

Spark wrote: »

I have checked my direct debits on my online bank account, and I have 2 same direct debits, one started in 2000, and the other one in 2009. They both have the same reference, so I guess it's for the same monthly payment. I have never had any problems with payments being taken twice.
Is there a reason for it to be like this?
Would it be safe to cancel the first (2000) direct debit, without creating problems with the payments?

just ask bank who it is for,give them a ring?think its best you knew who your moneys going to:)

Spark

Calling Santander for an enquiry? I think that would ruin my Christmas:)
I think I will follow dzug1 advice, and leave it as it is.
Thanks.

jen245

Are you an old a&l customer? If so, santander have changed everyone's dd's to reflect the new 09 sort codes.

molerat

I have a duplicate that keeps re-appearing. It has a reference that is 9 years old. I cancel it, the company carry on collecting on the usual new one, old one re-appears, I cancel it ............... It all started when my A&L accounted was migrated but seems to come back whenever there is a system update.

Spark

I am not an old a&l customer, but it might be that the bank had made a duplicate by error. After all, last year, Santander cancelled one of my ongoing standing order, after I had changed the amount on it, (which I was doing every year for many years) so I had to setup another one. Lucky I check my payments regularly.

jonesMUFCforever

It could be that the organisation may have changed banks and had to re set up all of the direct debits again.
Unless they actually ask for the payment twice I would leave well alone - you are covered by the direct debit guarantee in anycase.