Stop Direct Debit

sorethumbs

I've (probably rather foolishly) given my account number and sort code to a company I believed I currently had a home appliance policy and thought I was renewing.

Since searching for the company and reading the reviews I don't want to go near them.

Barclays have said the only thing I can do is to monitor my account and address cancelling the debit when a payment is taken.

I've read people have had big trouble contacting them so I fear the apparent 'cooling off' period is probably going to pass without me managing to cancel it.

Is there anything i can do to prevent the company from taking payment before they actually take the initial payment?

[Deleted User]

You can cancel the direct debit now (if its been set up), but it won't change any liability you have to pay them.

Make sure you contact them, regardless of what 'people' say.

eskbanker

Someone's misunderstanding what's being said, cancellation is straightforward: https://www.barclays.co.uk/help/payments/direct-debits/cancel/

sorethumbs

Hi thanks for the reply. Do you know if banks show that the direct debit has been set up (but not yet reached the payment date) so it can be cancelled prior to the first payment?
You say I'll still be liable to have to pay them for an agreement I've entered in to over the phone?

[Deleted User]

If you owe them money, yes.

Direct Debit is just a payment mechanism - it's not the contract.

born_again

sorethumbs wrote: »

I've (probably rather foolishly) given my account number and sort code to a company I believed I currently had a home appliance policy and thought I was renewing.

Take it that this was a cold call.
14 day cooling off.
Contact them and cancel.
They should send you full details to do that.

sorethumbs

Thanks. I've tried ringing the company and their accounts number just rings and rings eventually call ends. I guess I'll just have to wait and hope some info turns up in the post with instructions to be able to cancel.
I fear nothing will arrive, nobody will answer their phone line and I'll be stuck with entering into something I no longer want

18cc

Two things here:

1. you can't cancel a DD until it is set up and appears in your online banking - at that point, call the bank and cancel it (or do it via online banking if that function is there). Also, it is a legal requirement for the company to send you by post a list of the amounts to be taken and the dates, so if you don't get this they are in breach of the DD rules and the bank must refund to you any payments taken.

2. Completely separate to that is the contract you have with them. Sounds like you have 14 days to cancel, so don't wait for anything - write a letter to them - send it signed for - cancelling the contract under the cooling off provision. If you get a DD letter referred to above then also try and contact them via the details on that letter.

If you have any problems then call Trading Standards - it won't help much but if they get enough reports they might act.

What Is the name of the company.

born_again

sorethumbs wrote: »

Thanks. I've tried ringing the company and their accounts number just rings and rings eventually call ends.

any other numbers or email address?

flo22

Branch and Telephony staff in Barclays can add an OIN (Originator ID number) block either with or without knowing the Originator number, if it is not known then it will refer all new direct debits. This will effectively cancel a direct debit before it is set up.

afis1904

All of the above but also do never believe reviews on places like trustpilot