Octopus DD change to "GC-re Oct.." is genuine.

Grizzlebeard

Just for reassurance to Octopus customers getting warnings from their Bank and hopefully reducing traffic to Octopus' helpdesk.

I was informed by my bank today of new Direct Debit being set up to "GC re Octopus Energy Limited".

It is very unusual for Octopus to change things that might raise concerns with it's customers without prior notice so I emailed them.

Got a very fast polite response confirming this is a genuine Octopus move and is not a scam.

Penguin_

Thanks, that just popped up on our Starling account & I got worried.

TheElectricCow

Haven't had the DD change yet, but I received the below from Octopus at the end of February in the usual notification email they send out each month before a DD is taken:

FYI: from mid January we're beginning to change our payment processor to GoCardless. This won't have any impact on your account or your payments, and you'll continue to see 'Octopus Energy' on your bank statements.

You can read the GoCardless privacy policy here. If you have any questions about this change, just respond to this email or call GoCardless on 020 7183 8674. All Direct Debit payments are covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee:

• This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits
• If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit GC re Octopus Energy Limited will notify you 3 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request GC re Octopus Energy Limited to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request
• If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by GC re Octopus Energy Limited or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society
• If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when GC re Octopus Energy Limited asks you to
• You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us.

Grizzlebeard

TheElectricCow said:

Haven't had the DD change yet, but I received the below from Octopus at the end of February in the usual notification email they send out each month before a DD is taken:

FYI: from mid January we're beginning to change our payment processor to GoCardless. This ......

Thanks TECow.

I have most notifications from Octopus(and others) turned off, so didn't get that one. I would have expected them to inform all their customers, email and/or online dashboard anyway. They're usually very good with important info.

Pharlapdog

I have had this message from my bank too. The problem is this relates to a property that I no longer own and have not done since 2022. The Barclays email claims that it is a new DD but is in fact an old DD re-activated. Barclays branch staff were unable to help and when I phoned Octopus they claimed that it was all Barclays fault but would cancel the DD anyway. Back to Barclays, they claim it is not them, Octopus are the only ones with the capacity to re-activate old DDs. They can't both be right.

jackywacky

I'm with Octopus and have a Santander 123 account. I've just found out that this month since the change  I didn't get 2% cashback on my energy bill.
Here's Santander's message....................................

I am sorry Octopus energy customers were informed that they were changing their direct debit provider to GoCardless.

This is why the DD in this case was amended to the name GC Octopus Energy on the 11th March 25.

It has not been picked up as a qualifying direct debit as it is being processed with a different originator number that we do not recognise.

brewerdave

I'm with Santander 123 as well; got the correct amount of cashback on 5th April for March DD.
New DD is set up for GC re Octopus and has been taken on 10th April. According to statement the payment still shows to Octopus Energy so I presume cashback will be paid on 5th May - awaiting with interest.

QrizB

brewerdave said:

I'm with Santander 123 as well; got the correct amount of cashback on 5th April for March DD.
New DD is set up for GC re Octopus and has been taken on 10th April. According to statement the payment still shows to Octopus Energy so I presume cashback will be paid on 5th May - awaiting with interest.

There's a more active cashback thread over on the Banking forum:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81398601#Comment_81398601