Subtantial Direct Debit charge still not left account... 20 months later

directdebitquestion

Hi all,

I am new to this site and would appreciate any advice/ opinions that you have on my situation.

In August 2010 I booked a holiday home at a cost of £2,800 pounds on my Visa Debit card over the phone (not chip and pin). Immediately after the telephone call I received a receipt for the payment (as in a standard you have now paid for your holiday and nothing is outstanding, it did not contain any card payment information). At the time of the transaction I was abroad in Switzerland and had enough money in my account to cover the transaction, so after receiving the email I thought my account would be debited in due course.

However as you might have guessed from the thread title.. the money still has not left my account after 20 months! For the first 3 months I presumed it was always just about to leave my account.. however after that time I put it in a saving account with instant access, but to be sure I have an overdraft to cover it if it were to come in tomorrow..

Besides the obvious that I do still owe the money (and I have not spent it, so could pay it back tomorrow)... Where do I stand within the laws of Debit cards/ time limits/ company/bank fault etc?


I really appreciate any opinions anyone has on this matter.

Thanks.

JuicyJesus

As far as I recall, they have six months to claim the payment. This time has obviously long gone.

However, you obviously owe the money. Quite why the holiday home company has not kicked up a fuss, I haven't the faintest clue. Chances are it is their fault, or their merchant acquirer's fault, for not processing the payment, although again how they would not have noticed a £2800 hole in their accounts I have no idea.

ffacoffipawb

directdebitquestion wrote: »

Hi all,

I am new to this site and would appreciate any advice/ opinions that you have on my situation.

In August 2010 I booked a holiday home at a cost of £2,800 pounds on my Visa Debit card over the phone (not chip and pin). Immediately after the telephone call I received a receipt for the payment (as in a standard you have now paid for your holiday and nothing is outstanding, it did not contain any card payment information). At the time of the transaction I was abroad in Switzerland and had enough money in my account to cover the transaction, so after receiving the email I thought my account would be debited in due course.

However as you might have guessed from the thread title.. the money still has not left my account after 20 months! For the first 3 months I presumed it was always just about to leave my account.. however after that time I put it in a saving account with instant access, but to be sure I have an overdraft to cover it if it were to come in tomorrow..

Besides the obvious that I do still owe the money (and I have not spent it, so could pay it back tomorrow)... Where do I stand within the laws of Debit cards/ time limits/ company/bank fault etc?


I really appreciate any opinions anyone has on this matter.

Thanks.

Presumably the holiday has been taken long ago?

directdebitquestion

Just to clarify a few points, I mistakenly called it a direct debit charge... when if fact it is just a normal debit card transaction. Also the payment was for a holiday house rented from 01/11/2010 to the 18/12/2010.

Thanks for the answers so far!

Toe-Jam

The Authorisation has lapsed, they won't be able to take it off your card as the voucher has expired. But as you have pointed out, you owe them money at least for another 52 months, then you don't owe them anything as it will be statue barred and unenforceable.

Stick the money in an ISA, you'll make £100 a year while your waiting for them to come and look for it.