Are they allowed to do this? I normally pay a monthly direct debit for both gas and electricity and all of a sudden, without any warning, this amount has trebled and been taken out of my account. Don't they have to let me know? Is this the annual balancing out or have they just decided from now on they're going to take a huge sum from each month and enjoy the interest in their bank accounts? Can I get them to give it back?
Direct Debits - but utilities have just increased amount
- Thread starter Rachelle
- Start date
If you're not happy, ask for the money back under the Direct Debit guarantee. Your bank will return it and leave it to you and the company to sort out.
Personally, I pay for my bills as they come in. I know it's harder to budget like that, but I find utility companies always over-estimate the amount you need to pay each month, leaving you hundreds of pounds in "credit". I would prefer to keep the money in my account.
Personally, I pay for my bills as they come in. I know it's harder to budget like that, but I find utility companies always over-estimate the amount you need to pay each month, leaving you hundreds of pounds in "credit". I would prefer to keep the money in my account.
Hi i had thishappen to me, so I changed my Direct debits to Standing orders, they didn't like it at first but i did it anyway, you may lose a small discount if not paying by DD, but for me it was worth it to control my "known" outgoings...you should have a good idea though of what your yearly gas and elec is for the year and divide by 12 this should give you your monthly Standing order amount.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps