Question: Cancelling a monthly donation

tracknine

Hi

A bit awkward and I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but the charities board seems to be for positive threads so..

Basically, I'm trying to tighten up my finances and have had to really look into saving money. For the past 5 years I've been giving £10 a month to the NSPCC and tbh, given my current (and possible future) financial position, really could do with cancelling.

The problem is, I don't know how on earth to go about doing it and can'tfind any info on how to go about it.

Anyone know what I need to do?

Badger_Lady

You just need to cancel the direct debit with your bank. If you have online banking, you should be able to do it there, or otherwise phone / visit your bank and ask to update your direct debits.

You may / may not then receive a letter from the charity along the lines of "we're disappointed... if it was a mistake... here are reasons why you should start again...", which you can ignore.

Don't feel guilty - you've been very generous, and it's time to sort out your own finances! You can reassess any charitable donations when you can afford them :-)

tracknine

Cheers, Badger_Lady

I had searched through the NSPCC site, but there wasn't any sign of info on how to cancel. I was dreading calling the donations number and trying to cancel that way.. didn't need the Grade A guilt trip they hit you with and somehow I didn't think they'd accept potential employment difficulties as an excuse.

Thanks again.

missile

If you are still feeling guilty, check out how much the senior NSPCC staff pay themselves.

Dickieburd

Another possibility is that you may have set up a standing order to the charity if it is not done by direct debit. Another possible way they may get their money is by continuous credit card donation.

Either way it is easy to cancel. If it was direct debit and you cancel it at your end remember to let the charity know you are cancelling as well incase they reinstate the direct debit instruction and your bank sets it up again.

When I make a donation to a small animal Charity in Scotland I have their sort code and account number in my payees list and I can pay donations as and when I like and whatever I can afford, it is credited to their account. I got the bank details from the charitys own website.

It may be an idea for you in the future.

Turtle

If it's direct debit you can ask the bank to cancel it so they can't set it up again. There's a particular code that can be entered by the bank when they cancel it. If its internet banking I'd send a message asking to do this rather than cancelling it yourself otherwise this probably won't work. If they did reinstate after you'd cancelled and claimed then you can claim this back under DD Guarantee anyway as you haven't authorised the debit. You might feel uncomfortable doing this though with it being a charity. Still, it's certainly true you've been generous over the last few years so don't feel too bad.

Me_Myself_2

I called them up (got a no. off their website - may have deen donations no I can't remember).

They were absolutely fine - did not even ask me why.

RayWolfe

I recommend you also cancel with your bank. Mistakes happen.

Keeping_Positive

I cancelled through my bank and wrote to them. I did get a letter asking me to rethink but also thanking me for my donations. I still get the odd letter now. The reason I stopped was I struggled to afford the £10 a month and even so often I would get a letter or call asking for more. I politely told them I was paying as much if not more than I could afford so please stop asking. They didnt listen so I lost my rag and cancelled. Signed up to Barnados,they listened and dont bother me.

exel1966

Badger_Lady wrote: »

You just need to cancel the direct debit with your bank. If you have online banking, you should be able to do it there, or otherwise phone / visit your bank and ask to update your direct debit-)

This is what many people 'believe' but I'm afraid it's not correct. Direct debits should be cancelled with the company concerned as well as the bank. If you don't do that the NSPCC will have every right to attempt to take funds from your account. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Many people here have been caught out before. Better to be safe than sorry.
This is why at the bottom of all electronic/paper DD's it states :-

'We also recommend you notify the organisation concerned'