How to reverse a Direct Debit payment | Access Paysuite (2024)

There are occasions when as a payer you might need to reverse a Direct Debit payment if it has been taken in error or fraudulently. Alternatively, you may be an organisation collecting payments by Direct Debit, commonly referred to as a service user, and due to human error you face a situation where a payment has been collected incorrectly.

Thankfully, payers are really well protected under the Direct Debit Guarantee. The Direct Debit Guarantee covers against error and a failure to follow due process as outlined by the Bacs rules and guidelines. Organisations need to ensure they adhere to these rules, while also understanding their rights in challenging a reversal or refund request from payers.

Here’s a look at when you might want to recall or reverse a Direct Debit, and how to go about it.

Payer Rights

Under the Direct Debit Guarantee, an organisation is required to give its customers advance notice of any changes to their Direct Debit, such as a change in the payment amount, date or frequency. This is typically 10 working days before the payment is taken, but shorter periods can be agreed and this would be stipulated in the Direct Debit Guarantee on the Direct Debit Instruction you complete.

If the organisation fails to provide this notice, it is in breach of the Direct Debit scheme rules and you are entitled to a full and immediate refund from your bank. It’s worth noting that there are occasions where a payment might not be taken on the exact date stipulated in the advance notice. In this case, companies do have a three day grace period from the date of the original collection.

Making a Claim

If you notice an error on the same day a payment was made, you can call your bank and reverse the payment immediately. However, if you notice it at any point afterwards, your bank will need to make an ‘indemnity claim’ to the collecting organisation on your behalf. This can be done anytime, regardless of whether you still have a Direct Debit with the organisation in dispute.

Finally, remember that you can easily cancel a Direct Debit payment at any time before the payment is due to be made, simply by calling your bank. In the rare occasion where a payment is still taken, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund from your bank.

Service User Process

As a service user, if you have collected a Direct Debit payment incorrectly Bacs have clear rules and guidelines on what you must do. Bacs Scheme rules are specific to whether the error is discovered before the collection file has been submitted or afterwards, and also whether it impacts a single collection or the majority of a file.

Bacs have recently updated their rules and guidance in relation to how a service user should address the majority of a submission file being made in error.

How to reverse a Direct Debit payment | Access Paysuite (2024)

FAQs

How to reverse a Direct Debit payment | Access Paysuite? ›

Finally, remember that you can easily cancel a Direct Debit payment at any time before the payment is due to be made, simply by calling your bank. In the rare occasion where a payment is still taken, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund from your bank.

Can you revoke a Direct Debit? ›

You can cancel your direct debit at any time. You can do this through your bank or directly with the company you are being charged by. If you're wondering who can cancel a direct debit, it must be the account holder.

Can I claim back Direct Debit payments? ›

In the rare event that an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, contact your bank or building society straightaway. It's the bank that is responsible for refunding you in the event of a mistake, even if the original error was made by the organisation collecting the payment.

How do I cancel a Direct Debit authorization? ›

You can tell your bank to cancel the direct debit in a number of ways:
  1. Call them.
  2. Drop into the branch.
  3. Send the bank an email.
  4. Do it online at the bank's website (if available)

Can my bank reverse a payment? ›

If either a consumer or a vendor notices something is wrong with the payment, they can contact the bank to stop the transaction going through. This is typically the payment reversal type which involves the least hassle for both customers and businesses.

Can a Direct Debit payment be reversed? ›

If you notice an error on the same day a payment was made, you can call your bank and reverse the payment immediately. However, if you notice it at any point afterwards, your bank will need to make an 'indemnity claim' to the collecting organisation on your behalf.

Can a debit be reversed? ›

You can cancel a registered debit order by visiting your nearest branch before the first debit. You can dispute a registered debit order if it does not match the term and conditions that you agreed to. However, you should also contact the provider to stop the contract to avoid being debited in the future.

Can a Direct Debit be returned? ›

Answer: A Direct Debit Return occurs when a donor's bank rejects a online check (or direct debit) transaction. This can occur if the account holder states the debit was made in error or if the account information does not match the banks records.

Can a debit payment be returned? ›

One of the most common causes for return debits is insufficient funds in the account. When a customer does not have enough money in their account to settle the amount required for a transaction, the bank will decline the payment and a return debit occurs as a result.

How to get a payment back? ›

Contact the Receiver: Reach out to the person who received the funds and request a refund. Provide them with the necessary details and ask for their cooperation in returning the money.

How do I revoke an automatic payment authorization? ›

You will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the scheduled date of the transfer and inform it that you wish to stop payment. You can provide the notice orally, but the bank may require you to confirm the request in writing.

How do I cancel a payment authorization? ›

Call and write the company. Call the company and tell them you are taking away your permission for the company to take automatic payments out of your bank account. The company's customer service should be able to help you, and there might be an online form you can use. Then, follow up by writing a letter or an e-mail.

How do I stop automatic debit payments from my account? ›

You can contact your bank and place a stop payment order on the recurring transaction. Generally, a stop payment order is only good for six months. To stop payment, you will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the next payment is scheduled to be made. Notice may be made orally or in writing.

Can you reverse an automatic payment? ›

Contact Your Bank

You can also contact your bank or related financial institution to cancel autopay. Usually, you can stop autopay online through the bank's website or over the phone, but check with your specific bank or financial institution first.

Can you reverse a payment made? ›

Can the bank reverse a payment? Yes, in some cases. Banks can initiate chargebacks, forcing reversals on settled transactions. They can also reverse payments if authorization errors appear in the transaction.

How do I get a payment reversal? ›

Inform them that there was a mistake or that you were overcharged and request a refund. If they agree, they will take care of the rest. If the merchant is unwilling to reverse the payment, you can contact the bank or credit card issuer to dispute the transaction and request a refund.

How do I revoke my auto debit? ›

How do I stop automatic payments from my bank account?
  1. Call and write the company. ...
  2. Call and write your bank or credit union. ...
  3. Your bank or credit union might use stop payment orders. ...
  4. Monitor your accounts.
Aug 28, 2023

How would you get Direct Debit terminated? ›

To cancel a direct debit from a bank account or credit card, write to your provider saying you withdraw your direct debit authorisation. Keep a copy of the email or letter, as you may need to show this to us or your provider if you make a complaint.

How do I cancel a DD? ›

You need to visit the issuer bank and follow the procedure to cancel a DD if it has not been cleared. If you paid by cash, you need to submit the original DD, receipt of cash payment, and DD cancellation form to request cancellation of DD.

How do you revoke a debit authorization? ›

You will need to notify your bank at least three business days before the scheduled date of the transfer and inform it that you wish to stop payment. You can provide the notice orally, but the bank may require you to confirm the request in writing.

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