Direct debit increase without consent

frogadoo

I am in dispute with ADT over a callout charge - they are trying to charge me £120 for changing a battery in our alarm panel, which I was not informed of, was not quoted for or agreed to. I wouldn't have allowed them to if I knew this was the amount they would charge! The call out is paid for in my maintenance contract, so is just the price for this battery, and the labour involved. It took 4 minutes! I was not present so was unaware of any of this.
Anyway, a few phone calls and emails later (where I have said I would pay if it was a reasonable amount, but will not pay anything if it is to be extortionate as I did not agree to any work) they have written to me saying the next direct debit will include this charge of £120! 
I have emailed them stating my position, also stating I do not give them permission to increase my DD to pay this charge. My question is, can they?! I will cancel the DD if necessary as it is for me a point of principal now, but don't wish to cut my nose off to spite my face..
I feel like I'm being robbed by my own burglar alarm company!

Ectophile

They don't have to ask your permission before increasing a DD.  That's not the way Direct Debits work.  They only have to tell you before making the increase.  In terms of the DD rules, they have done what they are supposed to.

Whether or not it's right to charge you £120 for a battery is another matter.

frogadoo

Even if I dispute the amount they can go ahead and take the money?

born_again

If you cancel the DD then they could chase you for the funds via other means.
What does the contract cover you for? Do they monitor the alarm etc?

frogadoo

The contract is for monitoring and maintenance. I don't doubt the battery was possibly due for renewal, but when I first rung to query the bill even the guy said that sounds way out, should be more like £40 on a routine annual visit, which this was. And I should have been made aware of the cost before proceeding. They didn't even make us aware they were even going to do any work, it was only when I received the bill.

unholyangel

frogadoo said:

The contract is for monitoring and maintenance. I don't doubt the battery was possibly due for renewal, but when I first rung to query the bill even the guy said that sounds way out, should be more like £40 on a routine annual visit, which this was. And I should have been made aware of the cost before proceeding. They didn't even make us aware they were even going to do any work, it was only when I received the bill.

What exactly does it state? Does it exclude replacing batteries? Does the contract stipulate how jobs will be priced? And can I also confirm that its for a residential property as a consumer and not as a landlord or trader/business? 

You are free to cancel the DD. But you might want to make sure credit isn't involved as it can have some heft reprecussions. You will still have to argue with them about the charge though. 

born_again

Well in that case if you do not pay and cancel the DD the monitoring will stop. Which might also effect your house insurance. As I expect that you have that listed and might reduce the premium.