Direct Debit

Lupealu

Can someone please clarify the rules of direct debit for me please?
I have a virgin credit card and it appears that i missed a DD payment sometime ago without realising. Virgin (mbna) have been charging me a late fee and interest ever since. I don't use the card and have a DD set up for the minimum amount required. As i don't use the card i must admit that i just see every month that the payment comes out of my account and that it's roughly the same and therefore leave it at that (naughty i know). My question is should mbna/ virgin not have taken the missed payment along with the continuing payment and notified me of this rather than continuing to charge me. When i've actually logged on my statement (which i now have to do as they decided not to send me statements), it says that the minimum payment includes both the monthly min. amount and the missed amount - i though DD payments were took the min amount unlike SO that are set for a specific amount.
Am i totally misguided or should i call to complain?

Si_Guy

Yes DD can take the min ammount due each month and normally change slightly each month depending on the balance/interest. Its a shame you didnt realise you had been charged, but my advise would be to phone them and ask for a jesture of goodwill (assuming the charge was a one off) i have had charges cancelled just by being polite and asking. They are supposed to write and tell you when they have charged you i think.
Hope this helps!