my rights direct debit error

babyonlyne

hi, i currently pay for a service for my 2children via direct debit. in oct 2011 the payments changed to £98 which i was made aware of verbally. in nov 2011 the payment reduced further to £49. i had not been aware how much the fees were going to be reduced to. i didnt receive any postal DD notifications to the changes in the amount to be taken. now i've been told by the company that my payment for one of my children hasnt been made for the past 3 months because they wrong amount had been taken. and i apparently owe £147 for the last 3months. what are my rights because my direct debit is still active and the company have collected their money every month, just at the wrong rate. i havent cancelled or missed any payments so obviously the error is internal and no fault of mine.
any help would be appreciated. thnx xx

Gavin83

You could possibly use the fact they messed up the collection to pay in installments, but be reasonable in what you offer.

unholyangel

You've been receiving/had access to the service and they have not discontinued the service to the second child or obstructed them from using it?

What you're referring to is the direct debit guarantee.....to have a right to be made aware of any change in the amount taken and if not made aware, to have the payment reversed.

BUT, even if a company took too much money and you reversed the payment, this does not mean that you do not owe the company in question the money. And i think it is the above part that has caused you confusion.

You owe them the money *unless as above they have been obstructing the service or have ceased provision*

tomwakefield

I would suggest that you ask them to take it out in monthly installment as it should have been, so the next three months you pay £147 (£98 for the current month's transport, £47 to clear one month's underpayment).

(I'm assuming the missed payments are November, December and January, paid first thing each month)

babyonlyne

hi thanks all. there's been no change/restriction in service provision. just wanted to make sure i was liable as the error was made on their part. but its all cool.