Paying by standing order

Watercompanyvictim

la531983 said:

How much have you been charged in late payment charges so far? How are these letters from the "debt collection agencies" actually worded if you arent actually in debt?

170 plus vat so far. 

noitsnotme

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

You are building a rod for your own back. Whats your problem with direct debits? If they take the wrong amount you can claim it back.,

Not in the habit of allowing incomplete companies access to my bank account. Took them over a year to get the correct address despite me contacting them saying I was recieving no bills. 

A direct debit agreement does not give them access to your bank account.

Yes it does. They can change the amounts, can accidently take multiple payments and generally charge fees which don't exist. This happened with my council tax and although I got it back the month after it left me broke for a month. A standing order can only be changed by myself and since it's a set fee rather than variable it's the easiest most secure way for my business. 

It does not give them access to your bank account.  They can request a variable amount but that does not constitute "access to your bank account".  And there are plenty of protections in place with a direct debit agreement that would allow you to reverse an incorrectly requested amount.

noitsnotme

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

How much have you been charged in late payment charges so far? How are these letters from the "debt collection agencies" actually worded if you arent actually in debt?

170 plus vat so far. 

Have I read that correctly?  You've paid £170 +VAT in late fees just because you won't change to a direct debit?!?  Wow!

Watercompanyvictim

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

You are building a rod for your own back. Whats your problem with direct debits? If they take the wrong amount you can claim it back.,

Not in the habit of allowing incomplete companies access to my bank account. Took them over a year to get the correct address despite me contacting them saying I was recieving no bills. 

A direct debit agreement does not give them access to your bank account.

Yes it does. They can change the amounts, can accidently take multiple payments and generally charge fees which don't exist. This happened with my council tax and although I got it back the month after it left me broke for a month. A standing order can only be changed by myself and since it's a set fee rather than variable it's the easiest most secure way for my business. 

It does not give them access to your bank account.  They can request a variable amount but that does not constitute "access to your bank account".  And there are plenty of protections in place with a direct debit agreement that would allow you to reverse an incorrectly requested amount.

It literally allows them to change amounts without your consent and even take double payments. They even have a section in their website where you can claim back money they have double charged or wrongly charged. It took them 6 months to change my business address to the correct one, no way would I trust this company. Also their reviews have complaints about them wrongly taking payments out and the lengths those companies have had to go to get their money back. No thanks. 

noitsnotme

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

You are building a rod for your own back. Whats your problem with direct debits? If they take the wrong amount you can claim it back.,

Not in the habit of allowing incomplete companies access to my bank account. Took them over a year to get the correct address despite me contacting them saying I was recieving no bills. 

A direct debit agreement does not give them access to your bank account.

Yes it does. They can change the amounts, can accidently take multiple payments and generally charge fees which don't exist. This happened with my council tax and although I got it back the month after it left me broke for a month. A standing order can only be changed by myself and since it's a set fee rather than variable it's the easiest most secure way for my business. 

It does not give them access to your bank account.  They can request a variable amount but that does not constitute "access to your bank account".  And there are plenty of protections in place with a direct debit agreement that would allow you to reverse an incorrectly requested amount.

It literally allows them to change amounts without your consent and even take double payments. They even have a section in their website where you can claim back money they have double charged or wrongly charged. It took them 6 months to change my business address to the correct one, no way would I trust this company. Also their reviews have complaints about them wrongly taking payments out and the lengths those companies have had to go to get their money back. No thanks.

The consent is in the direct debit agreement, that allows them to request variable amounts where appropriate.  At no point in the whole process are they "accessing your bank account".  If they make a mistake and request an incorrect amount, you don't need to use their website, you contact your bank and invoke your rights under the direct debit agreement.  See here...

https://www.directdebit.co.uk/direct-debit-guarantee/

"If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by the organisation 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."

I don't know what lengths the other companies are going to but it sounds like they don't understand direct debits either.

la531983

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

How much have you been charged in late payment charges so far? How are these letters from the "debt collection agencies" actually worded if you arent actually in debt?

170 plus vat so far. 

For an account not in debt?

How are the letters worded if you are not in debt? What justification is given on the letter for charging a fee for an account not in debt? 

You seem to be skirting around the core issue here as to if the account is actually in debt or not when these letters were issued.

Watercompanyvictim

la531983 said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

How much have you been charged in late payment charges so far? How are these letters from the "debt collection agencies" actually worded if you arent actually in debt?

170 plus vat so far. 

For an account not in debt?

How are the letters worded if you are not in debt? What justification is given on the letter for charging a fee for an account not in debt? 

You seem to be skirting around the core issue here as to if the account is actually in debt or now when these letters were issued.

The debt agency has suspended my account due to investigation. 

Watercompanyvictim

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

You are building a rod for your own back. Whats your problem with direct debits? If they take the wrong amount you can claim it back.,

Not in the habit of allowing incomplete companies access to my bank account. Took them over a year to get the correct address despite me contacting them saying I was recieving no bills. 

A direct debit agreement does not give them access to your bank account.

Yes it does. They can change the amounts, can accidently take multiple payments and generally charge fees which don't exist. This happened with my council tax and although I got it back the month after it left me broke for a month. A standing order can only be changed by myself and since it's a set fee rather than variable it's the easiest most secure way for my business. 

It does not give them access to your bank account.  They can request a variable amount but that does not constitute "access to your bank account".  And there are plenty of protections in place with a direct debit agreement that would allow you to reverse an incorrectly requested amount.

It literally allows them to change amounts without your consent and even take double payments. They even have a section in their website where you can claim back money they have double charged or wrongly charged. It took them 6 months to change my business address to the correct one, no way would I trust this company. Also their reviews have complaints about them wrongly taking payments out and the lengths those companies have had to go to get their money back. No thanks.

The consent is in the direct debit agreement, that allows them to request variable amounts where appropriate.  At no point in the whole process are they "accessing your bank account".  If they make a mistake and request an incorrect amount, you don't need to use their website, you contact your bank and invoke your rights under the direct debit agreement.  See here...



"If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by the organisation 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."

I don't know what lengths the other companies are going to but it sounds like they don't understand direct debits either.

Look at the troubles customers have had trying to get wrongly collected money back. You have to prove to the bank it was wrongly taken out. Not as easy as you think it is and certainly not an immediate repayment. 

noitsnotme

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

noitsnotme said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

la531983 said:

You are building a rod for your own back. Whats your problem with direct debits? If they take the wrong amount you can claim it back.,

Not in the habit of allowing incomplete companies access to my bank account. Took them over a year to get the correct address despite me contacting them saying I was recieving no bills. 

A direct debit agreement does not give them access to your bank account.

Yes it does. They can change the amounts, can accidently take multiple payments and generally charge fees which don't exist. This happened with my council tax and although I got it back the month after it left me broke for a month. A standing order can only be changed by myself and since it's a set fee rather than variable it's the easiest most secure way for my business. 

It does not give them access to your bank account.  They can request a variable amount but that does not constitute "access to your bank account".  And there are plenty of protections in place with a direct debit agreement that would allow you to reverse an incorrectly requested amount.

It literally allows them to change amounts without your consent and even take double payments. They even have a section in their website where you can claim back money they have double charged or wrongly charged. It took them 6 months to change my business address to the correct one, no way would I trust this company. Also their reviews have complaints about them wrongly taking payments out and the lengths those companies have had to go to get their money back. No thanks.

The consent is in the direct debit agreement, that allows them to request variable amounts where appropriate.  At no point in the whole process are they "accessing your bank account".  If they make a mistake and request an incorrect amount, you don't need to use their website, you contact your bank and invoke your rights under the direct debit agreement.  See here...



"If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by the organisation 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."

I don't know what lengths the other companies are going to but it sounds like they don't understand direct debits either.

Look at the troubles customers have had trying to get wrongly collected money back. You have to prove to the bank it was wrongly taken out. Not as easy as you think it is and certainly not an immediate repayment. 

I don't know what you are referring to?  With direct debits it is an immediate refund, under an indemnity claim.  The bank is required to do so under the direct debit guarantee.  The business requesting the payment will need to challenge it if they believe it is incorrect.  (However do be aware "If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when the organisation asks you to." - also from https://www.directdebit.co.uk/direct-debit-guarantee/)

Also see here - https://www.accesspaysuite.com/blog/how-to-reverse-a-direct-debit-payment/

Hoenir

Watercompanyvictim said:

Hoenir said:

Watercompanyvictim said:

I've never refused to pay and indeed still pay weekly but now they have sent my account to a debt collection agency with all the costs that comes with that because and I quote "this is not their desired method of payment". 

Sounds as you are in constantly in arrears and not adhering to the contractual terms and conditions. Causing the water company unneccessary additional administration. You are beating yourself with your own self made stick. Solution is easy. Switch to direct debit. No amount of ranting is going to help you achieve anything. 

Been paying standing order since the start. 65 payments gone through without any problems at all. You are allowed to pay in installments so paying by direct debit would not change anything as utvwiyjd be the same amount paid on the same day to the same account it's just they would not have direct access to my bank account. 
The amount and date are not even in question just the method. 

You are a business and as such agreed to the contractual terms. Breaching those terms allows the other party to seek a remedy through the Courts. Unfortunately doesn't apply to me / I'll do what I want counts for absolutely nothing.  I'd imagine that the Water Company has now reached the point of having no other course of action.