Are Oxfam replacing Standing Orders with Direct Debit?

cepheus

According to an unsolicited phone call I just received, Oxfam have recruited a company to replace all their donors standing Orders with direct debits. This company is asking me for my bank details to do this. They don't want me to do it through the bank because of admin costs.

Sure it is above board, they could recite all my other details with Oxfam, but surely it is not good practise? I have asked them to phone back in a few days.

scuzz

If you want to be sure, do you have a number you can call at Oxfam on any mailings you have received from them?

Direct Debits are cheaper for charities to administer, so it could be likely they are trying to switch people over.

cepheus

It is legit, I confirmed by Email

penrhyn

When they phone you up about the latest disaster you can just agree to give them more money without the need for any paperwork.

cepheus

Aaaah yes, thats probably the reason behind this! Yes quite obvious.

penrhyn

Its very non PC, but the Ricky Gervais Comic relief podcast is very funny.

Savvy_Sue

cepheus wrote: »

According to an unsolicited phone call I just received, Oxfam have recruited a company to replace all their donors standing Orders with direct debits. This company is asking me for my bank details to do this. They don't want me to do it through the bank because of admin costs.

Sure it is above board, they could recite all my other details with Oxfam, but surely it is not good practise? I have asked them to phone back in a few days.

My bank account, my choice how I organise money going out of it ...

and I'm struggling to get my head round the idea that the admin charges resulting from ME directly changing a SO to a DD via my own bank would cost more than the cost of the phone calls - I know they've got to make the phone calls to ask me to do it, but surely me saying "I'll do it direct, thank you" must take less time than them taking your details, filling them in on the computer, sending them off for processing etc.

penrhyn

With DD they already have all the information they need to up your payment. The key here is that they can change the amount, when they have contacted you. They are not reliant on your promise to up your contribution to the bottomless pit.

WhiteHorse

cepheus wrote: »

Sure it is above board, they could recite all my other details with Oxfam, but surely it is not good practise?

Standing orders are fixed, direct debits can be varied.

Dangerous. I would tell them No.