SLC deferrment granted but they still took money from my account!!

[hackers0ns]

I sent all my deferrment stuff back in July (recorded delivery, of course!) and never heard anything back. SO i called to check what was going on. First they said they had never received it and i wouldn't be able to defer.

 

SO i called back again and spoke to different monkey, this time i mentioned the recorded delivery and strangely enough they suddenly managed to find my deferrment forms!! They said i should have been deferred and they had made a mistake in not doing it. they assured me that they would defer it ASAP and send me all the stuff about it.

 

However I have just got my bank statements through - and they've taken money out of my account without telling me!!

 

As they've confirmed this was an error on their part, can i reclaim the money from them or the bank? I'm a full time mum and have no income of my own except child benefit so I can't afford to lost 2 lots of £40 (cos i've got 2 loans).

 

How do i go about getting this cash back?

[CAGisforME]

In order to advise properly:

 

HOW did they take the money?

 

Was it by Direct Debit, Standing Order or Card Payment?

 

If it was by Direct Debit you will need to call your Bank. Tell them that you were informed by SLC that the deferment was in place and that the sum has therefore been taken without your consent. Tell them that you need to invoke the Direct Debit Guarantee and that you wish the sum(s) to be refunded, the Direct Debit stopped and a blanket stop to be put on any further DDs from them until further notice.

 

If it was a STO then this would have been up to you to cancel it. Therefore cancel it now and write to the SLC telling them you have done so and require the payments taken since deferment returned forthwith, on the basis that they were not owed.

 

If it was a Card payment you will need to speak with the bank and explain that the payments were NOT authorised and therefore fraudulent. You require them to refund the payments, cancel the card and issue you with a new one.

 

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[hackers0ns]

It shows on my bank statement as a direct debit, so I shall get onto the bank first. That makes it a lot easier as getting anything out of the SLC is like blood from a stone!

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how I get on!

[CAGisforME]

If it is showing under the Direct Debit Scheme all you have to tell the Bank is that you are claiming under the Direct Debit Indemnity Scheme. The money should be back within 48 hours (normally faster).

 

Make sure, as advised, that it's cancelled, so they can't go taking any more.

 

Your bank will want their money from the SLC, who may write to you again. Tough. Their mandate is not valid, as you had deferred!