mobile phone direct debit.

atonuts

Hi Guys,

This is my first time posting here but i could do with some advice.

I was originally with 02 on a tarriff that was coming to an end. I called up retentions and was sent a new handset and given a new contract. After a few days i was not happy with the deal i was given so contacted them to return the handset which i did. Shortly after this i requested a PAC code and moved my number off the network considering this notification that i wished to terminate the contract.

Shortly after i received a bill for the sum of £500. This was unexpected as i was on a £35 tarriff! I contacted o2 who issued a credit on the balance in effect wiping out the bill. I was told not to worry and foolishly assumed that was that.

This morning i received a call from my bank advising me that O2 have taken the final bill from my account putting me way overdrawn. I contacted o2 to sort the matter out but was told that as the direct debit was taken on the 16th of june i would need to wait until the 26th of june, 10 days, before they could reverse the payment. The best advice i could be then given was to go to the bank and make a direct debit indemnity claim. I did this but have been told it can take up to a week to deal with.

I managed to get out of o2 that they would cover any bank overdraft fee's etc but is there any more i can do. Is a week reasonable in this situation? can o2 do anything faster?

I dont really wish to chase my bank as its not them that are at fault.

I would appreciate any advice on this and sorry if its in the wrong area.

Many thanks in advance!

Techhead_2

They quote that timescale to cover themselves because it takes the banks a few days to process things.

grumbler

atonuts wrote: »

I dont really wish to chase my bank as its not them that are at fault.

It wasn't their fault, but it is their duty to deal with this.

http://www.bacs.co.uk/bacs/businesses/directdebit/collecting/pages/customersrights.aspx

If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by (insert your organisation name) or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society.

Do chase them if they are giving you runaround by saying "up to a week".

Mark_In_Hampshire

As above. If the money isn't back in your bank account within a day or so, escalate this to BACS (link as per grumbler's post) - there's a specific route on that site you can take. It isn't the bank's fault, no, but that isn't relevant.