Standing Order/DD

dzug1

I have sent SO forms to the merchant in the past - so they can add their reference and send it on to my bank. They don't need to do anything with it apart from note its existence


A standing order will be for a specified amount on a specified day of the month. A DD will be for variable amounts and may or may not specify dates


It would be a pretty vague business that didn't understand the difference - but some businesses are run by people who don't have much business sense.

innovate

dzug1 wrote: »

A standing order will be for a specified amount on a specified day of the month. A DD will be for variable amounts and may or may not specify dates

A DD can also be for specified/fixed amounts, and for specified/fixed dates.

thewad

Sorry I have the soft copy that says SO on it.
Also the invoice says "contract payable by standing order"

grumbler

AFAIK, the only way a company can set a SO for you is to send a paper form signed by you to your bank.
If so and if everything was done online, I don't see how they can do this.

However, we keep talking about technicalities. For you it makes no real difference if it's a DD or a SO. If you want, you can cancel the DD online and set a SO instead.

meer53

thewad wrote: »

I signed up for a service by Standing Order...I now find it came out of my account as a Direct Debit....what's the score.

What difference does it make ? You still have to pay them i assume ?

SuperHan

Cancel the DD and set up an SO if you are so bothered.


Estate agents, as an example, for student accommodation often get you to complete a Standing Order form which they send to your bank on your behalf. I guess it's how they ensure it at least gets set up in the first place.

thewad

What bothers me is I signed for a SO so how did they set up the DD w/o my authorisation.....if a firm I know can do it so can a scammer.

innovate

What did your bank say when you asked them why they set up a DD rather than an SO? Why didn't you set the SO yourself? I might be wrong but I don't think a bank can set up an SO on the request of anyone but the account holder.

grumbler

thewad wrote: »

What bothers me is I signed for a SO so how did they set up the DD w/o my authorisation

Because DDs are set electronically nowadays and banks have no way to check the authorisations. The company simply used your details from the SO form to set the DD electronically.

.....if a firm I know can do it so can a scammer.

Yes, it's a well known fact that the DD system is open to abuse. However, it's difficult for scammers to benefit from this and there is DD Guarantee in place that protects customers.

SeduLOUs

I thought you'd be better off with a DD because you'd have the guarantee. You can still cancel it whenever you like, and ff they took too much money or on the wrong date you would be protected.