whay pay £5 DD charges

[WHISTLED]

My point exactly. And when I check my account - which incidentally I don't have time to do daily - if there aren't sufficient funds it will take at least three days to get them there.

So that wouldn't be a problem then would it.. Lets assume you can have an E-bill, that would give you well over a week to ensure the money is available. Millions of people manage every day for hundreds of millions of transactions, just by managing their own finances.

I give my money, no one takes it!

Your call, your choice, your decision as to paying non DD charges.

but if you're happy letting people take uncontrolled amounts from your account Whistled

Nothings uncontrolled from my account, I know what services I pay by DD, I have the dates set to suit me but funds would never be unavailable anyway. I know exactly how much will be coming out , when and all without a paper bill.

I expect you're probably comfortable buying things over the phone and give out your card number and full details including cvv number

Dont really like speaking to people on the phone so not really - Internet though and occasionally booking hotels

Quite happy using my credit and debit cards though including cvv number, even on my corporate AMEX which is unlimited and linked to me personally.

When some unscrupulous sort from a call centre is flogging the details in pubs you may see the weakness in our so called secured banking system - and no, the banks won't refund the money if you knowingly gave out your details.

Yep, yep they will - Having started my working life in banking, ive seen it and done it. Quiet safe, have no worries there. The disclaimer you're referring to applies to friends, family, colleagues etc or where it is proven you have not behaved appropriately. Using a card correctly for its purpose is not a problem.

My bank even refund me if I lose or damage something I bought with my Platinum card (within 6 months i think). They are nice like that and I have used the facility twice!

Direct debit is for the convenience of the banks and companies - not the people who's money it is.

I wouldnt have services with a company that wouldnt allow me to pay by DD so its 100% for my convenience

[Mad Mick]

Sorry but you're misinformed. I work for a security consultancy and risk and fraud prevention is a major part of the day job.
If money is taken from your account with the appropriate security the burdon of proof of a fraudulent transaction lies with you. You will need full police backing - crime number etc before the bank will even think about giving you your money back. Then you have to have your card cancelled, new card, new pin, etc. Bin there - got the tee-shirt!

As for knowing what is coming out on a dd - it's a variable amount chosen by the third party and doesn't have to tie back to any previous correspondence. So you THINK you know whats coming out.

C'est la vie - You seem happy with dd's and they work for you, so good on ya. I'm just pointing out the risks that customers are rarely made aware of.

I wouldn't give a third party access via dd any more than I'd give you my debit card and pin number.

I think the discussion point here is whether it's reasonable to be charged for not paying by dd. There was no charge to pay your bills before dd's were invented so why have other methods (including electronic bill payment that I use) suddenly started costing money?

As I said - I don't pay non-dd charges because I choose not to use companies that charge.

[WHISTLED]

Sorry but you're misinformed. I work for a security consultancy and risk and fraud prevention is a major part of the day job

A uniformed role I suspect..

I am protected against fraud with my card

My father was recently called by Lloyds to ask abiut a single unusual transaction that had been made on his card that day. It was not in Wales where he lives and was obviously fraudulent to him, and was refunded with no police involvement and without any action required from my father. Yes he did need a new card.. How is that a problem?

My brother was called by his card company to tell him that the police had found duplicate cards of both his and his wifes card in a raid in London. Card cancelled and new one sent - No problem again

I lost my cards and was called by the bank a few days later to say a transaction had come through from the day I reported it lost - It wasnt a problem they would send me a letter to sign to say It wasnt mine and it would be refunded immediately. Whe i got the detail through I could tell it was my own purchase and let them know.

Considering they dont refund they lost a lot last year didnt they? As you said yourself DD is also covered by the guarantee which means almost immediate refunds

[Mad Mick]

Yes - complete with jackboots (well, you started it)

As I also said, if you're happy with dd you go for it. As for your card protection...

Your banks' website quotes...
"You take reasonable measures to protect your card",

"The card number is not being used by someone who has these details with the consent of either yourself or any additional cardholder",

"You or any additional cardholders are not negligent in either giving or allowing anyone to access your account details or PIN (Personal Identification Number)".


I was going to write some comments against each of these but clearly you are an expert so can work it out for yourself.

How about everyone respects other people's opinions and avoids flaming or baiting one another?

Thank you for your co-operation.