Cancelling a DD - what happens if the gym tries to take it still?

rileydog

I need to cancel my gym membership due to severe lack of use!

I've emailed the gym and they said that I can cancel after the 1st July (can continue to use the gym until the end of July) and just to cancel my DD when that payment has gone out. They did say that the email was sufficient as one months notice but I'm going to send a letter on the 1st July aswell.

What would happen if the gym tried to take the DD after I've cancelled it? Would I get any bank charges? I'm with Natwest if that makes a difference. It's not that there won't be enough funds in the account, just worried about getting charged for a failed DD as the gym said they can't cancel it at their end.

I didn't think I could cancel until the middle of July meaning my membership ended middle of Augusr so just concerned that they may try to take a payment on 1st August but I will have cancelled the DD

stclair

They wont be able to claim it as the DD has been cancelled.

I would ensure you notify the gym you have cancelled the DD aswell.

mrmajika

Hi

If you cancel the DD then they can't take any money and you won't incur any bank charges.

Keep a copy of the email stating that you can cancel in July just in case. I know that several of the bigger gyms actively pursue 'debtors' and sell on the debt in the same way that a loan or credit card debt would be sold on.

rileydog

Thanks both, that's reassuring.

mrmajika wrote: »

Hi
Keep a copy of the email stating that you can cancel in July just in case. I know that several of the bigger gyms actively pursue 'debtors' and sell on the debt in the same way that a loan or credit card debt would be sold on.

They initially replied saying I could cancel in June. I emailed back saying 'are you sure' as I knew that was too early! They then said July 1st meaning membership ends at the end of July but I'm sure it should end in the middle of August hence the concern that they will still try and take the DD in August.

YorkshireBoy

They initially replied saying I could cancel in June. I emailed back saying 'are you sure' as I knew that was too early! They then said July 1st meaning membership ends at the end of July but I'm sure it should end in the middle of August hence the concern that they will still try and take the DD in August.

If you still owe money (under your contract if, say, they messed up on the dates or whatever) then they could indeed use the original DDI and set it up again under AUDDIS...even though you've cancelled it with your bank.

It's against the system rules of course, but that doesn't stop originators doing it judging by the number of posts on this matter on this board.

Best bet is to ensure you have the funds available on the normal DD collection date in August (it sounds like you will anyway?) just in case...and then take it up with the bank/originator if they're wrongly claimed.

lindseykim13

make sure to cancel the dd with the bank not the gym otherwise they can still take it.

MichaelCR

rileydog wrote: »

I need to cancel my gym membership due to severe lack of use!

I've emailed the gym and they said that I can cancel after the 1st July (can continue to use the gym until the end of July) and just to cancel my DD when that payment has gone out. They did say that the email was sufficient as one months notice but I'm going to send a letter on the 1st July aswell.

What would happen if the gym tried to take the DD after I've cancelled it? Would I get any bank charges? I'm with Natwest if that makes a difference. It's not that there won't be enough funds in the account, just worried about getting charged for a failed DD as the gym said they can't cancel it at their end.

I didn't think I could cancel until the middle of July meaning my membership ended middle of Augusr so just concerned that they may try to take a payment on 1st August but I will have cancelled the DD

Just make sure you've stopped the direct debit via canceling it through your bank first, Then inform the beneficiary that you've stopped it. So even if the beneficiary tried taking the DD The bank would decline them.

YorkshireBoy

MichaelCR wrote: »

So even if the beneficiary tried taking the DD The bank would decline them.

Not if they (ab)used AUDDIS to set the DDI up again (as per my previous post).

meer53

Lots of Gyms claim money when people have cancelled their direct debits using card details which they hold on file. If there are any outstanding amounts owing when you cancel the direct debit, the gym will still debit you using your card details. Check your contract Terms and Conditions as this is usually stated. Lots of people think that by cancelling their direct debit the gym can't take any more money !! Beware !

stclair

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Not if they (ab)used AUDDIS to set the DDI up again (as per my previous post).

The OP could ask for a "blanket stop" as we call it to be put on that particular beneficiary to stop the DD being set up again.

YorkshireBoy

stclair wrote: »

The OP could ask for a "blanket stop" as we call it to be put on that particular beneficiary to stop the DD being set up again.

Could such a "blanket stop" be overidden by the originator providing evidence to the bank of a debt still owing and backed up by contract/T&Cs documentation?

Or would it then be necessary for the originator to chase the customer outside of the bank?