Direct Debit woe

chasmanp

I have been forced by my bank, Bank of Scotland, to change my account to a Lloyds account, there didn't appear to be much that I could do about it due to legislative changes in Jersey and although very irritated at first :mad: as I have had the account for 23 years I have reluctantly accepted this change.
However what has now transpired (my worst nightmare and the reason why I resisted changing accounts) is that the direct debits of which there are alot coming out of this account have been a bit hit and miss to the point that I have now received 3 arrears letters from separate companies due to non payment. The main reason I think for this is the stupidity of the bank to try and migrate my account when the direct debit activity on my account is at its highest.
What I want to find out is where do I stand if the bank has not successfully migrated my direct debits and what recourse do I have as I fear that this may affect my credit rating. The direct debit guarantee as far as I can see doesn't seem to mention this sort of issue.
Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

ironlady2022

If you were forced to, then they should effectively repay all charges if applicable. Most banks should provide a fee free temporary overdraft on new account if DDs do appear early and you have no funds in. What a farce!

chasmanp

It really is a nightmare although I have managed to off load a whole load of anx on the phone so have entered a Zen like state:)
I don't really have a great deal of faith in the Direct Debit Guarantee as to me there is a slight flaw. In this case the change in account has been forced on me (I'm over that...now). The bank send an automated message up the direct debit system to advise of a change in account it is then up to the company to change their records to reflect this.
However if for some reason the change doesn't go to the right recipient which is possible when institutions change their names or merge etc then they may try and draw on the old account which results in something called a "free flow" where my bank matches my old account with the new one and arrange the payment resulting in a potential delay but at least the request is not returned unpaid.
The other anomoly is where the automated message coincides with a payment request, in Northern Rock this triggered the direct debit to be suspended (made "inactive" I think is the term they use) and for future payments they don't make a request but send the customer an arrears letter...bang goes my credit rating.
The anger I have felt over all of this is now subsiding and as I know what it is like to be at the end of a phone dealing with customers I really feel for the call handlers and think that when managers decide to do something like this they should be forced to man the customer support phones, after all they create the issues let them sort it.
Anyway I have 5 months left of free Premier Account banking then it will be time to move again..oh what joy!