Direct Debit

phil_c_2

Hey All,

I'm not sure if this is even in the right section, but it does technically involve my current account so here goes...

I bought a car on finance in April 2007, and was making the payments fine. Around September I got a letter saying that the finacne company was changing hands and so the name on the direct debit would be different, and that I didn't need to worry or do anything.

However, since then, 'they' have taken no money out of my account at all. I contacted by bank to find out why this was the case - in the past my DD for my gym membership mysteriously cancelled itself, so wanted to make sure that it wasnt a banking error - to be told by my bank that the company had cancelled the direct debit at their end.

I've had no letters or phone calls from them about this. It is quite literally like I've disappeared. Obviously, I'm not trying to pull a fast one - no seriously, I'm not - I have tried to call them (granted, only once in all this time), but it takes ages to get through - I once called them to get a settlement figure, as I was thinking of changing cars and it took them over 25 mins to answer my call, so i'm guessing they're not the best.

I've kept the money in my bank account adding up each month (the account the DD goes from) so if they ever realise the error, the money is there for them. I even wanted to change banks a few months ago, but didn't in case they thought I was deliberately trying to avoid them.

So, I guess the point of this is to ask if anyone has experienced similar, what are the chances of them contacting me, and is there a legal time limit after which they can't claim the money - I realise that this contradicts my previous point about not trying to pull a fast one.
Cheers

MarkyMarkD

They can pursue you for the amount owed for 6 years, the same as any other debt.

I think you've done everything right. You've contacted them (or at least, I read it that you've contacted them - trying and hanging up wouldn't count as particularly good here) and you've left the money in the account.

But given that they've cancelled the DD, they can't collect the money without setting up a new one which requires your authority.

They may never work out what is going on and you'll be OK in 6 years' time.