DD Fees

Mahutsuki

Ok so am i going mad.

My bank has just informed me that two DD bounced both for only £1.45 and they will not return the charge as i have already had a charge refunded and can only have one in the life time of the bank. I am now getting charged £20.

Can i do anything about this

Thank
x

exel1966

You can do one of three things.

1. Take it on the chin as a lesson learnt to be more aware of your balance and what/when DD's are coming out.

2. Try again, you'll get a different CSA who may well waive the charge.

3. Find another bank !

Gromitt

Only one refund in the lifetime of the bank? Wow, thats harsh. Most banks seems to the more fair system of "One refund per 365 day period".

However, you should have known about the amount that was to be withdrawn, if you were not notified then you can complain and get a refund.

Buzby

Another good reason to dump DD's and go back to cheques or online banking transfers. A DD is not suitable for anyone who regularly empties their account whilst waiting for it to be credited, it is a recipe for disaster - and an expensive one for you, and a profitable one for the bank!

opinions4u

Mahutsuki wrote: »

Can i do anything about this

Learn from your previous mistakes.

Budget better.

Move to a bank with a more favourable charging structure.

What do you think you can do about it?

Gromitt

Buzby wrote: »

Another good reason to dump DD's and go back to cheques

Which wouldn't have made a difference in this case. The charge for a bounced cheque is typically the same as that for a bounced DD, and probably refused for a payment like £1.45 due to processing fees.

Buzby

Gromitt wrote: »

Which wouldn't have made a difference in this case. The charge for a bounced cheque is typically the same as that for a bounced DD, and probably refused for a payment like £1.45 due to processing fees.

You overlook the fact that YOU initiate the cheque process, and will know if funds are present when it is presented for clearing. DD's these days - unless you are clairvoyant - ar taken by the firm on the day THEY want to, without any requirement to check with you first. It begs the scenario, writing a cheque that bounces may be bad form, but having a failed DD attempt costs you more - usually with everyone adding charges to boost their bottom line.

Gromitt

Buzby wrote: »

DD's these days - unless you are clairvoyant - ar taken by the firm on the day THEY want to, without any requirement to check with you first.

Then I must be clairvoyant, as I know exactly when every DD is due out and plan my banking around such. If a DD came out on a day I didn't expect, I'd be asking for a refund under the DD guarantee. The only 'special' treatment I give DDs is that if a payment is due on a Monday, I make sure the funds are there on a Friday (earlier if a bank holiday).

Agricolae

As Gromitt has said, you are fairly well protected under the Direct Debit Scheme's Guarantee.

If a company takes a direct debit on a date which differs from the last Advance Notice given by them, then you can safely claim the funds back. Presumably it would also be down to this company to refund any charges incurred at the other end too.