Direct debit abuse

**chris79** · 12 January 2009, 00:18

Isn't there a direct debit agreement which means you just call your bank and they must refund the money if you disagree with the transaction? Or just cancel the direct debit?

**NickFitz** · 12 January 2009, 02:02

For the last few years I've always paid my Council Tax in full at the start of the Tax Year, mainly to avoid having to set up a Direct Debit (the only other option being to visit a council office each month to pay it in person).

On Friday I received a mailshot from the council exhorting me to set up a Direct Debit as it was "the easier way to pay."

WTF are they on about? How can DD be an "easier way" than just paying it all at once?

All the other flats got one too, so at least I know what they're wasting our money on

However I strongly suspect that the further letters that arrived the next day addressed to Flats 1 and 4 were to do with arrears, which the council are unlikely to collect now that the relevant occupants are either remanded in custody or on the run.

As for sending a letter to their cannabis farm that used to live in Flat 2...

**OwlHoot** · 12 January 2009, 02:44

Originally posted by NickFitz View Post

.. On Friday I received a mailshot from the council exhorting me to set up a Direct Debit as it was "the easier way to pay."

WTF are they on about? How can DD be an "easier way" than just paying it all at once?

..

In fairness they didn't say "the easiest way to pay". It probably is easier than writing the amount on a cow and walking that round and trying to present it as a cheque.

**NickFitz** · 12 January 2009, 03:18

Originally posted by OwlHoot View Post

In fairness they didn't say "the easiest way to pay". It probably is easier than writing the amount on a cow and walking that round and trying to present it as a cheque.

My mistake. I have the missive in front of me. I quote, with their formatting:

Switch to Direct Debit
The easiest & most convenient way to pay your Council Tax

BTW, props for the reference to A P Herbert's Misleading Cases and the notable case of Board of Inland Revenue v Haddock

I confidently predict that somebody will quote vague details of that "case" as fact, somewhere on CUK within the next six months, probably attributing it to "something I read in the Telegraph a while back"

**Board Game Geek** · 12 January 2009, 04:08

DD's seem to work for most folks, NF.

Sign a form, then the bank and the company take care of the rest.

It's a no-brainer surely ?

**NickFitz** · 12 January 2009, 04:18

Originally posted by Board Game Geek View Post

DD's seem to work for most folks, NF.

Sign a form, then the bank and the company take care of the rest.

It's a no-brainer surely ?

As I said earlier, paying the bill in full when I receive it seems to work for me.

It's a no-brainer surely?

**Board Game Geek** · 12 January 2009, 04:20

Well, yes, both options are good surely, depending on circumstances.

**Gonzo** · 12 January 2009, 04:49

Originally posted by NickFitz View Post

As I said earlier, paying the bill in full when I receive it seems to work for me.

It's a no-brainer surely?

Originally posted by Board Game Geek View Post

Well, yes, both options are good surely, depending on circumstances.

Direct Debit works best for the organisation collecting the money. Provided they have enough customers it is more efficient (and therefore cheaper) than having to pay someone to deal with the luddites that want to send in a cheque.

**pmeswani** · 12 January 2009, 07:14

Originally posted by NickFitz View Post

As I said earlier, paying the bill in full when I receive it seems to work for me.

It's a no-brainer surely?

It depends. They are earning interest on money you have paid them. You could have earned a few pence out of paying by DD. Could have made a difference between having that holiday or going to work.

Direct debit abuse