Direct Debit query

74jax

I had a membership with a gym a few years back, paid by Direct Debit and then cancelled this (with the gym).

I have now recieved a letter from Direct Debit Services stating that my Direct Debit will be increasing. I called them and said I am no longer a member of the gym and cancelled about 2 years ago. They said they hadn't been informed but would cancel it now.

I then called the gym who confirmed they cancelled my membership on 04.03.2011.

I totally appreciate that it was my responsibility to cancel my Direct Debit at the bank, however for one reason or another I clearly haven't.

How do I find out if this money has gone anywhere. The gym couldn't help (council run) and Direct Debit Services couldn't help either.

If the money is gone then I haven't missed it between 2011 and now, but if I can claim it back from somewhere I would like to try.

m_curiousity

Under the direct debit guarantee you can reclaim any money taken by direct debit if you disagree with it, e.g. it was unauthorised, you were not notified, or you had asked to cancel it. You just need to call your bank and ask to raise an indemnity claim, theres no limit to how far back you can go. They will recredit you straightaway with the money then your bank will pass the charge onto the gym who will probably contact you to discuss.

Hope this helps

LEJC

Has the money been taken on a regular basis from your bank account?
sometimes a direct debit can be active on an account although not claimed...


if the money has gone out of your account there will be details held with the bank regarding the sort code and account number that has claimed it...you can then approch the claiming bank to see if you can get the funds back from their customer.


however its my thought that if you have cancelled your membership with the gym they have instructed their bank not to collect the money so its not actually been taken from your bank


but check your bank statement

peachyprice

74jax wrote: »

How do I find out if this money has gone anywhere.

Check your bank statements?

slightlyconfused1

The gym would take your dd from the bank. As they have cancelled your membership you should be ok.

It is easy to check, just call your bank and ask them the last time the direct debit was taken.

74jax

LEJC wrote: »

Has the money been taken on a regular basis from your bank account?
sometimes a direct debit can be active on an account although not claimed...

however its my thought that if you have cancelled your membership with the gym they have instructed their bank not to collect the money so its not actually been taken from your bank

The bank confirms it's been taken monthly since 2011.

slightlyconfused1 wrote: »

The gym would take your dd from the bank. As they have cancelled your membership you should be ok.

It is easy to check, just call your bank and ask them the last time the direct debit was taken.

bank were really healpful and confirmed they have been on 15th of every month since March 2011.

Had to call the gym to get some reference numbers and and an originator ID.

I called the gym and they offered to process the refund for me rather than go through the Direct Debit Indemnity Claim.

Thanks all :beer:

fivetide

Good result.

MallyGirl

This might be a good time to think about how you run your finances - you have been paying out monthly for 3 years and not noticed. Good news that you are getting the money back.