DD set up on account data breach?

Chelleybee

Has anyone else been affected by this? I was notified today by my bank that a debt collection company had set up a DD on my account.  The reference relates to my T V licence which is completely up to date and I have never owed on it. I called the debt company and they said there had "been a glitch" and to ignore it. Surely this is a data breach? How did they get my bank details and set up a direct debit. I've cancelled it now but it's very odd. I must admit it has worried me a lot today.

eskbanker

It could have just been a miskeying error, e.g. a single digit wrong on a sort code or account number?

TheBanker

I would not worry too much - all anyone can really do with an account number and sort code is set up direct debits. Your bank notify you of this so as long as you see the notification you can cancel it before it's paid. And if you miss it and it gets paid the Direct Debit Guarantee means you get an immediate refund from your bank.

As Eskbanker says it could have been a keying error, it could have been someone entering random numbers because they didn't want to pay their debt, but whatever I don't think you need to worry. Just keep a close eye on your account for the next few weeks, and be extra vigilent if you get unexpected phone calls or emails from the bank or other financial companies. 

PRAISETHESUN

Cancel the direct debit through your bank. If any money is taken it will be refunded under the direct debit guarantee.

grumpy_codger

Chelleybee said:

... Surely this is a data breach? How did they get my bank details ...

Surely any cheque you write to anybody is a data breach then?

HobgoblinBT

It can happen. 

 When I worked as a Business Banking Manager one of my customers had this happen every few months, mostly for mobile phone contracts.  The customer was a charity that published their bank sort code and account number on their website as a way of getting donations.  The bank marked the account so that any new DDs triggered a contact letter to the customer to confirm new DD instructions before they were made live.