Bizarre direct debits....

[Ninja Elephant]

Evening all, just been browsing my latest bank statement and I've discovered some bizarre direct debit payments being taken out of my account. I don't know what they're for, so want to get them cancelled straight away. Presumably, I just have to go to my local Nationwide to get them cancelled?

I was wondering aswell whether there's any chance I could dispute a payment? I don't really know much about this general subject, as you can tell, but I'm sure there's someone out there who can provide some advice, and I'd be very greatful if someone could offer some help.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sheebo]

For starters make sure you see exactly how many have gone out and claim every penny back if it's fraud. Some people are right *****

 

[blackprince]

have a look at this Nationwide link first:

Display article - Nationwide Building Society

 

[JBizzleBeard]

I had a few hundred quid taken from my account a year or so ago and had no problems claiming it back. Get onto it and sharp mate, I'm sure everything will be ok.

 

[The Wookiee]

Bank will issue an immediate refund on direct debts taken incorrectly.

 

[Jonno]

As above, act quick and get it sorted.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

have a look at this Nationwide link first:

Display article - Nationwide Building Society

Thank you for that link, I shall be contacting them in the morning.

Thanks for the replies everyone, it's good to know I don't have to just write this money off. I've added it all up and it is over a hundred throughout the month, that needs to stop!

 

[chez]

Evening all, just been browsing my latest bank statement and I've discovered some bizarre direct debit payments being taken out of my account. I don't know what they're for, so want to get them cancelled straight away. Presumably, I just have to go to my local Nationwide to get them cancelled?

I was wondering aswell whether there's any chance I could dispute a payment? I don't really know much about this general subject, as you can tell, but I'm sure there's someone out there who can provide some advice, and I'd be very greatful if someone could offer some help.

Thanks in advance.

Yes mate it's easy to claim the money back. It's what's called an "Indemnity Claim". What happens under the rules of BACS is that the bank have to pay you back the money immediately, they then claim it from the company who you have been paying. There is a banking rule that states that if the company do not reimburse the bank within a certain amount of time (60 days?) they are allowed to go into their account and take it!!!

Anyway, if the company think that you were paying for a service and that the DDM was legitimate they will most likely write to you informing you that you owe them all the money that you have reclaimed.

People do this all the time for lots of different things but life insurance seems to be the most popular. Car insurance has also been claimed back but I wouldnt suggest doing that as it could become complicated as if you claimed the money back you could be deemed to have been driving without insurance.

 

[Dominoid]

Make sure it's not something that you intended to come out but has a strange name. For example, the seagulls player shows on my direct debit list as "premium TV" so it wasn't immediately obvious what it was for.

 

[The Wookiee]

This sort of fraud is. quite rare as the account holder has control of direct debts, you can cancel them straight away and get the amounts refunded normally the same day. It is most likely a banking error. Who were the direct debts payable to?

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Yes mate it's easy to claim the money back. It's what's called an "Indemnity Claim". What happens under the rules of BACS is that the bank have to pay you back the money immediately, they then claim it from the company who you have been paying. There is a banking rule that states that if the company do not reimburse the bank within a certain amount of time (60 days?) they are allowed to go into their account and take it!!!

Anyway, if the company think that you were paying for a service and that the DDM was legitimate they will most likely write to you informing you that you owe them all the money that you have reclaimed.

People do this all the time for lots of different things but life insurance seems to be the most popular. Car insurance has also been claimed back but I wouldnt suggest doing that as it could become complicated as if you claimed the money back you could be deemed to have been driving without insurance.

That's interesting, I like that the bank have to do the fighting to get the money back! I've not even heard of the companies who have claimed direct debits from my account though, I've done a quick search on Google and all I can discover is that one of them is a technology company, and one of them appears to be a fast food place. Neither of which I use, I have no technology (my laptop is 4 years old!) and I only buy fast food with cash, I'm not a card-only person. Very bizarre, thanks for your reply, Chez.

 

[Ernest]

Hope it's not GAMBLING sites

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Change your online banking passwords?

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Make sure it's not something that you intended to come out but has a strange name. For example, the seagulls player shows on my direct debit list as "premium TV" so it wasn't immediately obvious what it was for.

Wise words, but I'm not into anything of the online variety. I honestly don't know what these direct debits are for. The only ones I know about are for my mobile phone contract, and an online clothes retailer. Those are the only two I should be paying.

This sort of fraud is. quite rare as the account holder has control of direct debts, you can cancel them straight away and get the amounts refunded normally the same day. It is most likely a banking error. Who were the direct debts payable to?

I touched on that in my last reply.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Hope it's not GAMBLING sites

Play nice, mr Ernest!

Change your online banking passwords?

I'm not signed up to it, though I will sign up now.

 

[The Wookiee]

One other thing, if the bank say they can't refund you, insist on speaking to a manager and quote the direct debit indemnity scheme, which under the direct debit. guarentee you are entitled to. Some banks don't like doing it and will ask you to contact the payer directly for a. refund.

 

[chez]

That's interesting, I like that the bank have to do the fighting to get the money back! I've not even heard of the companies who have claimed direct debits from my account though, I've done a quick search on Google and all I can discover is that one of them is a technology company, and one of them appears to be a fast food place. Neither of which I use, I have no technology (my laptop is 4 years old!) and I only buy fast food with cash, I'm not a card-only person. Very bizarre, thanks for your reply, Chez.

No probs.

 

[mistahclarke]

it's unlikely to be actual direct debits, more likely "card not present" fraud. Good news is you'll likely get an immediate refund, although you might have to sign a form. You need to ring your bank asap though to get it stopped as sounds like someone has your card details. if it's justeat.co.uk or another on-line fast food place that is.

source - 2 years investigating fraud.

 

[mistahclarke]

oh, and get a credit card for your on-line shopping - helps in instances like this as won't happen to your bank cash, just money you haven't paid yet.
And you get added protection from the credit card consumer act on legit purchases too.

source - 2 years in Credit Card Disputes

 

[The Wookiee]

it's unlikely to be actual direct debits, more likely "card not present" fraud. Good news is you'll likely get an immediate refund, although you might have to sign a form. You need to ring your bank asap though to get it stopped as sounds like someone has your card details. if it's justeat.co.uk or another on-line fast food place that is.

source - 2 years investigating fraud.

But he said it was direct debts not card. payments. I originally thought it was odd and as I mentioned, very rare for fraudsters to commit this fraud as it is of no real benefit. My guess its most likely a banking error.