MBNA charges despite clear balance

Pauleb80

Hello, last month I cleared my MBNA credit card and cancelled my direct debit (with my bank). Today I received a statement showing a £12 charge incurred for an unpaid direct debit. I called up to query and was told this charge was made because I didn't notify them I'd cancelled my direct debit despite them admitting my balance was clear and no payment was due.

MBNA said it is a term of any direct debit agreement that it must be cancelled with the company it is being paid to. I've never heard of this before and never had any problems cancelling with my own bank until today.

I thought MBNA were just trying it on and I tried to get passed up the food chain to find someone with authority to refund this charge but didn't get anwhere. I wasn't happy and made this clear (without being rude). Therefore just wondering if I'm on a hiding to nothing and should I just accept this as a lesson learnt?

mmikailian

same thing happened with me a few weeks again i rang a few times and then they cancelled charges this was with Halifax though i also told them to close my card, the following 2 months it happened in the end i went into the branch and completed and the assistant spoke with the manager and once again cancelled all charges and closed the account there and then. why not ring and speak to some one else who may be more helpful.

bengalknights

Did you close the MBNA account as then you could claim it back although if its still a open account then it could be well withins there T&Cs about the charge.

YorkshireBoy

Pauleb80 wrote: »

MBNA said it is a term of any direct debit agreement that it must be cancelled with the company it is being paid to. I've never heard of this before...

Isn't it clearly stated on your copy of the DD guarantee? From the BACS website...

You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify the organisation.

http://www.thesmartwaytopay.co.uk/family-life/direct-debit-guarantee.asp

As has been found out by many others on this board, the MBNA DD is set in stone once the statement has been produced. It does not matter if you made a payment before the payment due date...the DD will still be collected.

Indeed, MBNA wrote to you when you set up the DD (maybe a long time ago but you should still have it on file?) and said...

Important: Confirmation the set-up of your Direct Debit Instruction

Once your Direct Debit is in place, any extra payments you make will not affect the amount we collect unless you contact us at least five working days before the payment due date. Please note that working days do not include Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays.

To avoid further problems of this nature, it's best not to cancel the DD with your bank until you've received confirmation of account closure or, at the very least, until you've received a zero balance statement.

If you're not having any success with the frontline CSAs then try customer retentions/loyalty on 0800 783 1116