Direct Debit Guarantee - worthless?

[MajorPaine]

not sure where to post, so it's in here as it's Nationwide related.

 

Essentially my dilemma is this.

 

Southern Electric changed date of my Direct Debit without telling me, they attempt to take money, Nationwide bounce and charge me £30

 

Nationwide are saying it's not covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee as no money ever left my account.

 

Southern Electric are insisting they sent a letter informing me of the changed date. I never had that letter !!! If I had I would have told them not to take the money as at that point in the month the account is empty. Southern Electric are refusing to refund the charge, as the fact that their system shows a letter was "sent out" is enough.

 

So I'm between a rock & a hard place and £30 out of pocket, which at this point in time is significant to me.

 

HELP !!!! Who is actually responsible ?? or is this some grey area that falls outside of the Direct Debit Guarantee and just another case of organisations taking more money from those who can least afford it

[yourbank]

Direct Debit Guarantee Scheme does not cover when a payment is bounced. It only covers you when it is PAID and there is an error. I agree with you that the DD Guarantee Scheme is flawed.

[MajorPaine]

oh well, guess I'll have to change Electricity supplier and leave a £30 balance with Southern ******* Electric

 

note to self - NEVER use direct debits again

[yourbank]

oh well, guess I'll have to change Electricity supplier and leave a £30 balance with Southern ******* Electric

 

note to self - NEVER use direct debits again

Hint hint: Bank charges reclaim with bank

[MajorPaine]

did successfully claim back a few years ago - will have to dust off the letters and start again....