Unauthorised direct debit set up!

lizperrott

I was checking through my direct debits a year ago and noticed a name I didn't recognise, It says 'MRL 2 FOREST HILL and underneath there is a second entry which says MRL no 2 account. I tried to delete the entries online but a message came up saying it was not possible and to contact Lloyds Bank. I did so and was told that I had to contact the company and only they could authorise deletion.

I have never heard of this company and so far it appears that nothing has been debited by them. However, in spite of the bank telling me they would track down this company, they have not done so and the mandate is still active, although nothing has been taken.

This means that if this company wishes to debit my account, they are free to do so. I was under the impression that this only happened with Recurring payment Authority and even they now are supposed to be cancelled by a bank or card provider if the customer requests it .

How on earth did a DD mandate from a company I have never heard of get onto my list and why can't the bank remove it?

grumbler

Your bank is fobbing you off. Don't let them do this.

http://www.directdebit.co.uk/DirectDebitExplained/Pages/Cancellingpayments.aspx

olly300

lizperrott wrote: »

How on earth did a DD mandate from a company I have never heard of get onto my list and why can't the bank remove it?

Lots of cases like yours have come before the FOS.

In future if a member of bank staff starts fobbing you off ask them their name and how they spell it. Then record the time of the phone call.

Then immediately phone up the bank to put in a complaint. Politely explain that if they don't cancel the direct debit immediately you will be complaining to the FOS. Make sure you again get that person's name and record the time of the phone call.

innovate

grumbler wrote: »

Your bank is fobbing you off. Don't let them doing this.[/url]

Yes, absolutely, file a formal (written) complaint immediately.

It seems outrageous that they will not let you delete a DD online. It contravenes the DD guarantee for starters.

jelv

I've just been a victim of money being taken from my account in error by a DD being set up against the wrong account number.

Having found out how the system works, if I were less than honest, and was entering in to an agreement involving a Direct Debit for a small amount I could give them a duff account number just one or two digits different to my own (or a cheque number instead of the account number). Given how many people don't check their statements properly there must be a good chance I'd get away with it at least for a while and if it was discovered I could claim it was a genuine mistake.

Surely a system with such a glaring hole is not fit for purpose?