CSA Direct Debit confusion

Monkeytennis

I have in the last month set up a DD to pay my child maintenance. This was supposed to go out last week but, one week down the line, the money is still in the account.

I checked the confirmation from the CSA and the account and sort code are correct, and there is a reference to validate the creation of the DD.

This is the odd part. When I called them about this they said that the money had been taken successfully! But it's still in the account.

Has anyone else seen this happen? Are they fleecing some other poor soul in error?

DUTR

What do the available funds show for the account? That is different from the balance shown, they won't be fleecing somebody else and you will know if it's not up to scratch when they issue a DEO on you.

Monkeytennis

Available funds and balance are the same. Obviously I don't want a DEO!

What I don't get is that when I phoned them to query they said no, everything is fine, the money has been taken...

DUTR

Monkeytennis wrote: »

Available funds and balance are the same. Obviously I don't want a DEO!

What I don't get is that when I phoned them to query they said no, everything is fine, the money has been taken...

You will have to wait a few more days to see if the DD is actioned, mine is on SO, so it goes on the next working day. You have to beware sometimes of what is said onthe phone, as sometimes it's just a ploy for the caller to hear what they want to hear and end the call (this is true for both PWC and NRP).

Monkeytennis

That is a very good point.

That said - the DD was due to be taken exactly 8 days ago and I would have thought that if there had been a problem they would have called?

Lovetoread

Make sure you keep the money in your account, don't spend it in case they realise and suddenly decide to take it without informing you.

I've heard that it's also a good idea to record all conversations with the CSA, to cover your back if you ever need to quote them and they miraculously "lose" your phone call on their database.

Poppie68

I think you would maybe be better off setting up a standing order, that way you can always be sure the money goes when it should, i would phone again and tell them the payment has not be taken from your bank and ask them to investigate the issues with their system saying it has..things like this never bode well for NRP's.

flutterby_lil

My OH battled for about 6 months to get the CSA to actually take the DD, they kept setting it up but it failed to be taken. He hasn't heard anything for 3 months so hopefully it is now set up!

DUTR

flutterby_lil wrote: »

My OH battled for about 6 months to get the CSA to actually take the DD, they kept setting it up but it failed to be taken. He hasn't heard anything for 3 months so hopefully it is now set up!

A quick look at a bank statement will confirm that is has not been taken.

Monkeytennis

I spoke to them and it turns out that they didn't set it up. At all. This, despite the fact that they sent a confirmation with the DD reference etc.

Fortunately the person that I spoke to was refreshingly human and I am in the process of setting up an SO.

So thanks for the advice - I would not have guessed that I would be fobbed off in the previous call, particularly when its within their interest to make sure the money is being taken.