Reclaiming a Direct Debit? (Halifax)

Kashinoda

Hey Guys,

At the moment I'm in Hong Kong and my family put some money into my bank account this morning, about two seconds after they did I had a Direct Debit eat it all up (Telephone Contract). I've cancelled the Direct Debit now but can I get the money back?

Mum phoned Halifax and said it's possible with a "imentity" form or something, I'm abroad and skint so need this back asap. Don't mind being in the !!!! with Telephone company!!

Just wondering if it's deffinately possible, if so how quick.

Thanks

olly300

If you had cancelled the direct debit then write to the Halifax:
1. ask them to refund the money under the Direct Debit Guarantee.
2. state clearly when you cancelled the Direct Debit and the company involved.

They should take 3 days-10 days to refund the money after they receive your letter. (I suggest you find a fax number for them. )

If you don't do it in writing you may be fobbed off with rubbish. Certain banks have told members of my family and myself that they cannot refund or cancel direct debits when we've telephoned them.

Kashinoda

olly300 wrote: »

If you had cancelled the direct debit then write to the Halifax:
1. ask them to refund the money under the Direct Debit Guarantee.
2. state clearly when you cancelled the Direct Debit and the company involved.

They should take 3 days-10 days to refund the money after they receive your letter. (I suggest you find a fax number for them. )

If you don't do it in writing you may be fobbed off with rubbish. Certain banks have told members of my family and myself that they cannot refund or cancel direct debits when we've telephoned them.

Thing is I didn't cancel it until after the money was taken.

far

Try calling them up and ask for the money to be reclaimed. There is a word for this (Indemnity - not sure) which means they can reclaim the money but it usually must be done the same day - as Olly explained, it is covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

YorkshireBoy

far wrote: »

Try calling them up and ask for the money to be reclaimed. There is a word for this (Indemnity - not sure) which means they can reclaim the money but it usually must be done the same day - as Olly explained, it is covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

The DD has not been claimed in error, therefore the guarantee cannot be invoked.

The OP is on the other side of the world and is 'trying it on' because he has no money. By his own admission, he "Don't mind being in the !!!! with Telephone company!!".

Kashinoda

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

The DD has not been claimed in error, therefore the guarantee cannot be invoked.

The OP is on the other side of the world and is 'trying it on' because he has no money. By his own admission, he "Don't mind being in the !!!! with Telephone company!!".

Yeah I don't mind being in the !!!! with them because I've had ongoing issues and they have taken the money without informing me, I don't want them getting their hands on my money!

far wrote: »

Try calling them up and ask for the money to be reclaimed. There is a word for this (Indemnity - not sure) which means they can reclaim the money but it usually must be done the same day - as Olly explained, it is covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Well I got family to phone up the same day it went out, and the customer service agent noted that... so hopefully when the form (Indemnity) is done tomorrow it should be okay.

Mikeyorks

It's the DD Guarantee - the Indemnity is purely between the Bank and the company who claimed the money.

But, as post #5, I don't think it applies as the money was not taken in error. Also - Halifax won't accept instructions from your parents? ... unless you've established the account as 'joint' to get round this whilst away?

Lavendyr

well, presumably if you have a contract with the phone company you know that they are going to take your bill by direct debit each month? And presumably you are receiving phone bills (at your home address, I expect, rather than in Hong Kong)?

Unless they took the money when it was not owed to them in any way (or took more than was owed, or took it earlier than they told you they would take it), you may have difficulty getting it back.