Re: direct debits
The Irish Payment Services Organisation Ltd. (IPSO) is the umbrella body for payment services for financial institutions in Ireland.
There are 2 types of direct debit schemes "" and "".
Each scheme has 3 parties involved The Payer, The Payer's Bank and the Originator (who must agree sponsorship with a Sponsoring Bank).
The main difference AFAIK is that DD plus can be initiated without a signed hard copy of the
Direct
Debit
Instruction.
Guidelines for
both schemes state that "
The Payer's Bank branch must inform the Originator of any amendments that the Payer makes to the Original DDI..." and "
Typical amendments arise in circumstances such as ... Cancellation of the DDI by the Payer...".
Guidelines for
both schemes also state that "
You can cancel the Direct Debit Instruction in good time by writing to your Bank"
However the specimen DDI in both guidelines includes amongst other statements that you sign up to, that you (The Payer) will "
...duly notify the Bank in writing if I wish to cancel this instruction. I shall also so notify Originator of such cancellation."
So the guidelines say that if you (The Payer) write to your bank in good time that you wish to cancel the DDI, then your Bank should inform the originator and the job should be done.
But on the original DDI, you (The Payer) sign up to inform both your bank and the originator of any amendment including cancellation.
If (the umbrella body for payment services for financial institutions in Ireland) can't provide clear, unequivocal guidelines, is it any wonder that trying to cancel a DD can be such a hit and miss affair?
Bottom line is that if you write to your bank and the originator cancelling the instruction and if you are sure that both parties receive your instruction then in theory, if any further debits are processed your bank should reimburse you promptly...
