Managing your Direct Debits

Always check your bank statement
Direct Debits are normally shown with a DD alongside the payment. Spend five minutes a month checking these are correct.

Becky advises: "My mum and dad always sit down together and check their bank statements and that's a habit they've encouraged me to develop too. It certainly makes me feel more secure when I've checked everything through myself."

Choose your payment date
If you are offered a choice of payment dates when setting up a Direct Debit Instruction, select a date when you know there will be enough money in your account - the day after your student loan instalment reaches your account, for example. By doing this you can ensure that there will be money available in the account to cover the bills.

Know your rights
In the event that an error is made by the organisation or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid. Simply contact your bank or building society. They are responsible for refunding the money - even if the original error was made by the organisation collecting the payment. But remember, if you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when the organisation asks you to.

For full details of your rights read the Direct Debit Guarantee or our student leaflet.