Direct debit shock

glitter123

We have a house alarm and for about 10 years have had an annual maintenance agreement with a local company. They come to service the alarm once a year and I generally pay them by cheque when they leave.

Last year they asked if we would consider paying by DD with a small financial incentive so I filled in the form but had already paid last year so it would only come into force this year.

Earlier this year we got a letter saying the company had been purchased by a larger company - who sent us an invoice in April for the year commencing in June. My OH contacted the new company and said we no longer wanted their services.

The invoice states they would contact us a month before the annual service is due (generally in June) but we've had no contact from them.

I checked with the bank but there was no direct debit in force at the time.

Now I have discovered that they submitted the DD and its been paid by the bank in August.

Am I covered by the DD guarantee? Needless to say I have cancelled the DD now.

opinions4u

Am I covered by the DD guarantee?

Yes. You are.

crazyguy

Yes you are covered by the DD rules and all you need to do is go to your bank and request a full refund of the amount and if they choose to argue with you then state that they must refund it back and claim it back from the Company under the rules of the Direct Debit Scheme.

If you have any further problems you can PM me and I will get you further info.

Here is a thread I made on this: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3086254=