Amend Direct Debit Failed!

SparFace

Hi,

I tried to amend my Credit Card Direct Debit settings almost 10 days ago. Initially my DD was set to pay off the full balance. I changed it to the minimum amount. Unfortunately this settings were not updated from my bank's(Santander) core system. And today when is my CC due date I got Direct Debit Reversal for the whole amount of my Credit Card Debt. Obviously I didn't have the amount in question. But I had the minimum amount. I called bank's call center and they assured me that this settings will be taken into account for my next statement. I also made a bill payment for the minimum amount. I can see that the money went out today, and the guy from the call center was telling me that this payment is going to clear today so this will not be considered as late payment, but I am not so sure that this is going to happen. I think he just wanted to get rid of me. Do you think if I am right? I had 999 credit report from CrediExpert last month, when I cancelled my subscription. Do you think it is worth to check my score with them one more time because of this? If my score was decreased because of that do you think I should ask the bank to call them and all other credit agencies to correct their report, or I should write to them? The advisor on the phone already admitted that I have changed my settings long time ago and he implied somehow that it was my right to expect that the minimum amount is going to be charged.

SammenForLivet2

Hello,

You don't mention who the card provider is?

Most providers will report to CallCredit (a credit reporting agency), who have a free credit report service at: www.noddle.co.uk (it's free for life!)

I would recommend that you sign up, free, and then check if they have marked you as an 'LP' (Late Payment). Make sure you check their last update date, as they often only report on a monthly basis.

If your due date was yesterday, it won't show for a couple more weeks.
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bengal-stripe

SparFace wrote: »

I tried to amend my Credit Card Direct Debit settings almost 10 days ago. Initially my DD was set to pay off the full balance. I changed it to the minimum amount. Unfortunately this settings were not updated from my bank's(Santander) core system.

It's got nothing to do with your bank. DD are called-in by the beneficiary and your bank just pays the amount requested (or does not pay, as the case may be).

What does your last statement say? If it says that the full amount will be taken on the date due, then your CC provider has failed to amend the DD request before the DD went out (some 4 or 5 days before the due date). If you did call your card provider 10 days ago and asked to take only the minimum, they would have had sufficient time to act upon your request.

Or did you try to alter the amount to be taken at your end? You cannot alter the amount, only the beneficiary can. With your internet banking, you can only cancel the DD in it's entirety.

SparFace

Hi,

Both my Current account and Credit card are with Santander. So I have the facility to manage my Credit Card via my single online banking product. And there was a facility to amend the amount I pay online. That is why I thought I can do it by myself without the need of calling them. I don't receive paper statements for my Credit Card, but I checked that the setting was MINIMUM yesterday, so I expected that they would request the minimum amount.

This morning I checked my accounts again. The full amount was paid into my Credit Card balance although that transaction was rejected last night from my Current Account. I immediately transferred the amoun in question from my Savings account to my Current Account, because I know that they will reverse this transaction soon, ot something like this. I don't know if it is going to help, but I did it anyway. Now I am going to visit an office and meet a real person not someone on the phone who is trying to get rid of me. I hope I will sort this out without running mi credit score.

SnowTiger

SparFace wrote: »

Hi,

I tried to amend my Credit Card Direct Debit settings almost 10 days ago. Initially my DD was set to pay off the full balance. I changed it to the minimum amount. Unfortunately this settings were not updated from my bank's(Santander) core system. And today when is my CC due date I got Direct Debit Reversal for the whole amount of my Credit Card Debt.

You probably updated your Direct Debit instruction after your last statement was produced.

If you look at it, it has wording similar to this:

Direct debit £xxx.xx to be debited on or immediately after xx-x-13

Which, is presumably, is what has happened.

One of the gotchas with Direct Debits is that changes are (usually) not instantly implemented. They can't be because customers have to be informed of charges.

SparFace

Hi,

I have been to the bank and fortunately the due date of my Credit Card is today, and not yesterday, so no late payments for me and my credit reports at the moment. They also reverted back the 25 pound charge that occurred to my current account because of the negative balance.Unfortunately I don't think this is the end. We'll see...

By the way they confirmed that the reason for my DD amendment not taking place was that at the time I did it my bill was already issued. I understand that from IT and business model point of view such things are inevitable, but the least they could do is to show a message that there is such possibility and advise to contact the bank via phone for further information. I don't think I am the only one who got stuck in situation like this. But this is the way it is.