Is this unfair?

emmamason

Hi,

In January, I paid off the balance of a loan. A week later I checked for any interest charged, which it had, so I paid this off too, leaving my loan with a balance of zero. A week later, they tried to take a payment of £40 by direct debit, which failed because I'd cancelled my direct debit. They then charged me £30 for this failed direct debit.

This happened again the following month - another direct debit failed and another charge.

I've only just realised that this has happened so I phoned them this morning. They said that they will only refund one of the fees. She said that there was interest due on my account which is why the first direct debit had been taken out. When I look back at my statement, I can clearly see that I'd paid any interest due and my account balance was zero when they tried to take a payment. I argued with her for a bit and am now waiting for a call from her manager.

Can I refuse to pay this fee? I don't see why I should be charged for a failed direct debit when my balance was zero. What happens if I refuse to pay?

Thanks for any help.

Emma