B.T. Direct Debit Notice Period ?

Harold.Finch

I have just downloaded my latest B.T. phone bill dated 18th September. I pay by direct debit and the bill informs me that the payment will be taken on or just after 26th September.

Has something changed in the legislation for direct debit notice. I seem to remember the period used to be two weeks, presumably to allow for any inaccuracies to be corrected.

Or maybe it's just me and I haven't noticed a change.

Heinz

My monthly bill (email) always states:

We'll take your Direct Debit from your account as normal, a minimum of 8 days after the date on your bill. You don't need to make any other payments.

spenderdave

It has certainly changed. Last month's went out on September 2nd (11 days from bill date), this month's due to be collected on September 27th (8 days). But have seen nothing in writing about the change.

Buzby

Yes - it changed over a year ago, but it was led by the Bankers association who agreed that the extortion of the voice period could continue. It was originally 14 days actual notice of a debit back in 90's.

This reduced to 10 days, BUT included any posting date on the advice of debit (so if it took 4 days to arrive, you had less than a wrecks notice).

It has now dropped to 7 days, with the same caveat - and with firms using cheapskate mail aggregation services the expected 2-3 day delivery window can now be anything up to a week with bulk mail.

You can now receive your debit notice on the day of the debit (or later). But in both cases, there is no chance of you being able to check, respond and prevent an incorrect debit. Only beg for your money back.

Heinz

Buzby wrote: »

You can now receive your debit notice on the day of the debit (or later). But in both cases, there is no chance of you being able to check, respond and prevent an incorrect debit. Only beg for your money back.

Or require your bank to reverse the call if the amount is disputed.

Buzby

Heinz wrote: »

Or require your bank to reverse the call if the amount is disputed.

Did you miss the 'Only beg for your money back' which is exactly that. Your bank will oblige, but only if you complain. Further, with telcos reporting to CRA's such reversals may also show up as non payment for that month's bill.