Direct Debits - is a D.O.B needed

ConorPeden

I am wanting to get some advice from the MSE forum in relation to Direct Debits in general and also specifically relating to TUI. 
With Direct Debits, it is my understanding that to set these up, firstly you type of bank account should allow this payment type. For the name and address to be correct as stored by your bank. Along with your bank sort code and account number. I have never had to provide a Date of Birth before and I am not sure how this data would be provided when setting a Direct Debit up. So my first question is - can a Direct Debit be refused by a company if a D.O.B is not showing from the bank?

My second part needing for advice is to do with the recent booking with TUI. I wanted to take advantage of the no deposit and spread the cost with DD over several months for a holiday in Feb 2022. When putting my details in as the lead passenger I ensured these were correct (as they need to be) and also checked both bank accounts I have (Barclays & Starling) on how my details are stored with them. When completing the DD part of the booking an error came up with both stating that name and/or the D.O.B are incorrect with your bank and to check the lead passenger details again. I have never had this issue with setting up a DD before and I have also had a DD with TUI in the past with my Barclay details. So it would seem strange that this time round they are no accepted. 

After spending 4.5 hours on hold to ask for help with this, I was told that it is a bank issue which it clearly isn't but that they could book in over the phone for 250 pounds which I refused and asked for them to book and not take a deposit. This was done and they advised I would then be able to set a DD up once the booking was live. And guess what? I cannot not set it up as the same error is coming up. Now I am being told if I do not pay the deposit the holiday will be cancelled. I have challenged this and now I am being told that it may be to do with a credit score that the DD can not be set up as I have tried multiple times. Both my banks have advised that this would not be the case. 

Has anyone on here had experience of this? And if so can you give me some advice on the best way to tackle the situation? As I have never had issue with TUI and we had a holiday cancelled in Jan 21 for April 21 and they refunded the money back within 3 days. Also our holiday to Mexico in 2018 was great with them and no issues. So I would want to still book with them but not to feel forced to pay a deposit. Thanks 

colsten

It sounds as if this is a TUI issue. I wouldn't bother pursuing it and instead use a credit card to pay the instalments. That way, at least you get Section 75 cover , which you wouldn't get with a DD.

General_Grant

It may be that you will have given your full name to Tui (matching your passport) but the name on your bank accounts is slightly different (perhaps no middle name for example) and therefore it does not match up when they do a computer based name check.

ConorPeden

@colsten thanks for the advice. I did think of this but to be honest I just didn't want to have to pay 500 pound up front. As I the DD was more appealing to me. 

@General_Grant yes this is what I thought, but the names match up. It just seems really odd, that I have used a bank account with them before for a DD and then to be told this time the same account doesn't work. 

I will wait and see what they come back with. Thanks

flo22

There is no DOB in Direct Debits and the name is not checked, only the sort code and account number are used to set the Direct Debit up.  

colsten

flo22 said:

There is no DOB in Direct Debits and the name is not checked, only the sort code and account number are used to set the Direct Debit up.  

How do you know what TUI check when setting up a DD?

flo22

colsten said:

flo22 said:

There is no DOB in Direct Debits and the name is not checked, only the sort code and account number are used to set the Direct Debit up.  

How do you know what TUI check when setting up a DD?

Sorry I did not make it clear.  Banks do not check DOB, there is not field for it on the Direct Debit set up.  The name that the SUN input on the set up is not required to be check to the bank account name.

ConorPeden

Thanks @flo22 - when the error comes up it shows my name but no DOB which why I thought the error was odd. I have also checked on the DD website and it advises on there that DOB is not needed. It just seems like it is scam way of them getting people to pay deposits even if this is not the preferred payment method by the customer. 

pelirocco

ConorPeden said:

Thanks @flo22 - when the error comes up it shows my name but no DOB which why I thought the error was odd. I have also checked on the DD website and it advises on there that DOB is not needed. It just seems like it is scam way of them getting people to pay deposits even if this is not the preferred payment method by the customer. 

how can it be a scam to get people to pay deposits ?

for what its worth I have had a few problems setting up new payees on my business bank account recently , I have had a few flag up saying the name I have given doesn't match their details  ( Not DDs ) 

pelirocco

pelirocco said:

ConorPeden said:

Thanks @flo22 - when the error comes up it shows my name but no DOB which why I thought the error was odd. I have also checked on the DD website and it advises on there that DOB is not needed. It just seems like it is scam way of them getting people to pay deposits even if this is not the preferred payment method by the customer. 

how can it be a scam to get people to pay deposits ?

for what its worth I have had a few problems setting up new payees on my business bank account recently , I have had a few flag up saying the name I have given doesn't match their details  ( Not DDs ) 

 just re read and saw it was a no deposit booking , sorry