I sent off the template letter to Orange as they'd been charging me £3 a month for not paying by direct debit. I've just had this letter back: Dear X Thank you for your recent correspondence, regarding our charges when bills are not paid by Direct Debit. We introduced the charge for payment by means other than Direct Debit in 2005. This charge genuinely reflects the costs incurred in processing payments and is no way a penalty charge. In a recent statement the Trading Standards Institute confirmed that these charges are lawful. Payment by Direct Debit is simple and easy to set up and gives you the added benefit of the Direct Debit Guarantee. We trust this addresses your concerns. Yours sincerely Hakim Alazaibi Executive Assistant ----- So how do we find out if the Trading Standards Institute have indeed pronounced on this and what they said exactly? Also, never been entirely sure of what benefit I gain from the Direct Debit Guarantee? Any thoughts?