Direct Debit cancellation refusal!!!

[Chutzpah]

Step One: Contact your bank. You dispute the amount which was taken (i.e., anything at all) and they will give you a refund. It is then up to the gym to contact you for the money. Cancel the DD through the bank.

+1

Under the terms of your direct debit guarantee, you can be refunded (the money will be back in your account in 24 hours) for any debits that you dispute. It is then up to the organisation to chase you.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/27/27-directdebit-guarantee.htm

 

[jay clock]

The DD is an instruction to your bank. Tell them.


"Cancelling a Direct Debit
A direct debit can be cancelled at any time by the customer informing their bank or building society, usually in writing. It is also advisable to inform the supplier as well, but this is not obligatory as the bank or building society will also do it. "

 

[Black Sheep]

No wonder these places get up to these tricks if that's what they get away with!

They got away with it until it was spotted
Money was back in the account the next day and the bank's legal team / fraud team were ''dealing with it''

 

[661-Pete]

See what you signed up for. You may have agreed to a minimum period of membership. I think if you agreed say 12 months and cancel the payment after 2 months they can chase you for the remaining 10.

What OTH said - you need to be careful here, you may have (however unwittingly) entered into a binding contract here, and the Law is unforgiving on such matters. You don't want to be lumbered with a CCJ against you! Perhaps, go along to your local Citizen's Advice, taking with you all relevant paperwork.

 

[martint235]

FWIW I never cancel direct debits with the company concerned, I just tell my bank to stop paying them. If you have signed a contract and you cancel the direct debit, the gym should make reasonable effort to recover the money owed under the contract (ie send you an invoice/letter stating you're in breach and asking for the money) before being able to get a CCJ against you.

 

[byegad]

Cancel at the bank and if it get paids again escalate with the bank. I had problems many years ago with a Book club and in the end the threat, made to the bank, that I'd move my account sorted it.

 

[XmisterIS]

I've cancelled it with the bank and checked again the small print of the contract I signed - no mention of any "special forms" or 12-month contract or anything like that, just the 1 month's notice, that's all. I'll wait and see what happens - I have proof of postage of the original letter.