Direct debit taken early

continualdiamond

After some advice on what i should do or perhaps what you'd do.

I missed 2 payments of contents ins, due to me being stupid and some how cancelling it online. I had no letters regarding the 1st missed payments, so naturally missed the 2nd. Realised my mistake about 3 weeks ago and rang the company up. I decided to change my direct debit date due to wage change of payment (monthly paid now)

They asked if the 2 missed payments could be taken from my bank within 14 days. I asked if the 2 i had missed plus this mths could be taken altogether on my new payment date as my OH got paid 3 weeks early in Dec, so we were on a strict budget. I was told this was not a problem.

Last Fri, i check online banking to discover they'd taken my 2 missed payments. I rang them up, they confirmed my phone call and that it shouldn't of happened and they'd credit my bank. Today, still no money, another phone call, bank account wont be credited until Saturday.

Now i know its my fault for some how cancelling Nov payment and not noticing till after the end of Dec when i had then missed that payment as well. But they never realised either.

Im not happy the money was taken out and im not happy it will take over a week to be back in my bank account. Its not worth it, as the money should go back in Sat 19th, i get paid Tues the 21st and then 3 payments will come out on the 28th. They may as well keep the money as it being credited on Sat has no use to me then, i needed it this week. OH has had to cancel a seperate direct debit because of this money being taken early as we obviously hadn't budgeted for this money coming out.

Them taking the 2 payments early,means i have the tiny sum of 71p in my bank account. Where having to make food stretch to last until Tues when i get paid. I sold items on ebay a week ago, haven't been able to post them and just pure lucky that when members paid me via paypal i transfered the money to my bank account (which i normally don't do, normally let it sit a bit and build up), which cleared yesterday. I had to use that to buy pet food and get petrol.

Should i send a letter of complaint or because it was my fault for the mishap in Nov, should i just keep quiet about it? Its been a hard week so far, persons bday at work tomorrow, wanted to get them a little something.hmmmm 71p wont go far on a pressie.

Also very lucky them taking this money hasn't resulted in a overdrawn fee from out bank.

chuckley

y credit it back only for them to take it again? be thankful its paid and that they wont hassle you. yes u are out of pocket for a while but at least u havent incurred bank charges or problems with the company.

Clive_Woody

To be honest I would put it down to experience, dragging it out, writting letters and stressing about it will only keep your blood pressure up and I doubt you will get anything other than maybe a letter of apology. Just be a bit more careful when you are cancelling DDs in future and hopefully something like this won't happen again.

Money Saving Tip: I hope you aren't paying interest by paying your contents insurance monthly, there are insurers who offer interest free monthly payments for those who don't have the cash to pay in full up front for the whole year.