Direct debit still active

[andy_3_913]

Hi.

I left BT in August.

Recieved an email, part of which stated

'If you decide to go ahead with the move, we'll send a final bill with any charges up to and including 16-Aug-2024. If you've paid too much, we'll refund you on this bill. Please don't cancel your Direct Debit. We'll do this automatically when the final bill is settled. '

The bill was settled nearly 2 months ago but the direct debit is still active. Any idea why? I have no other products from BT and I may be being fussy but I don't like having direct debits active that I'm not using.

Cheers.

[pottyperson]

You have to contact your bank and cancel the DD, a simple process online if you use internet banking.

[andy_3_913]

I was just wondering why they said they would cancel it.

They said 'Please don't cancel your Direct Debit. We'll do this automatically when the final bill is settled.'

I'll just do it myself then.

Thanks.

[pottyperson]

Recipients don't need to cancel DDs , they just don't use them. But I'm with you - cancelling inactive ones prevents errors.

[NigelB72]

Your bank should cancel the direct debit instruction automatically after a period of inactivity. My bank cancelled mine after 3 months.

[RIC9380]

Absolutely! Today I got my mum to cancel a DD for Council Tax for her previous property as the local authority is still taking £280 per month from her account 7 months after she moved. That's almost £2,000 it has had on top of the Council Tax she's paid at her new home.

[pottyperson]

@RIC9380  I guess you know this but mum can require her bank to recall the erroneous payments.

[NigelB72]

@RIC9380 make an indemnity claim with your bank under the direct debit guarantee. The bank will reverse the payments as the council had no rights to claim them.

[RIC9380]

Cheers, both. I'm going to make one last attempt to reason with the council tomorrow before contacting my mum's bank and doing exactly what has been suggested.