Unpaid Direct Debit Charge - Is there anything that can be done?

Boppy_2

Usually I'm really good with my account but a direct debits come back unpaid on the 28th which means a wonderful £35 charge was applied to my account yesterday :eek: I've just phoned the bank now who tell me there's nothing they can do even though funds were available on the 29th (I'm on benefits so it's a regular payment) They said I'd have to take it up with my branch but last time (over 3 years ago!) it happened they told me I had to take it up with the telephone people, please help, £35 is such a lot of money

System

If the payee (again the telephone company?) attempted to take the payment earlier than they had told you they would, go into your branch and tell them this. I'm not sure whether you can directly invoke the Direct Debit Guarantee. (The Guarantee enables you to insist on an immediate refund, arranged by your branch, of a payment you say was wrongly taken.) Within the spirit, but possibly not the letter, of the Direct Debit Guarantee, your branch may agree to waive the fee for the bounced direct debit.

If your branch says no, and if you are sure the payee tried to take the money earlier than they had told you they would, complain to the payee. Say that they misused the direct debit scheme, and that as a result you have incurred a bank charge of £35, and demand compensation of £35 plus, say, £25 for your annoyance and wasted time. If they fob you off with nonsense, send them a 'Letter before Action' saying that you will issue a Money Claim in the County Court, if you do not receive your money in, say, a fortnight. Making a Money Claim is easy, on-line.

Separately, you presumably need to pay the payee the correct amount that is due, but they attempted to take early. You need to be sure whether they will try the direct debit again, or ask you to pay by other means.

p1nkk1tten

Sometimes the bank will waive the fee if you ask them to, however, if you didn't have any money in your account at the time, and presumably the DD was taken at the time you had agreed it with the company, and the bank has had to return it, frankly, there is nothing you can do as it will have been in the t/cs of the bank account. All I can suggest is for future you make sure all your DDs are set to come out the day after you are paid. Unfortunately the bank ain't psychic to know the funds would be there the next day.

ironlady2022

Agree with young nick bank won't refund as it's written in terms and conditions best off going to the company to recuperate the charge.