Processing a debit?

One thing I like to do if I pay by a credit transfer into someone's account, is to send a small test amount first and get them to confirm receipt. I did read about someone inputting an account number one digit wrong and managing to send several thousand to a wrong account, which then took some time to get back. At least by getting confirmation for five or ten pounds, I know I have input everything correctly on my phone, before I send several hundred.

Would they get it back, I understood that if its you that makes a mistake inputting the details the bank can only 'ask' the recipient to return the money but has no powers to insist.  Its one of the worries paying by Bacs.  I do the same as you make a payment of £1 first just to check.

I think you are correct. You are very dependent of the good will of the person involved. The bank cannot pay it back. I have no idea what your rights are in law, but even if you have any that could be expensive and take a long time.

One thing I like to do if I pay by a credit transfer into someone's account, is to send a small test amount first and get them to confirm receipt. I did read about someone inputting an account number one digit wrong and managing to send several thousand to a wrong account, which then took some time to get back. At least by getting confirmation for five or ten pounds, I know I have input everything correctly on my phone, before I send several hundred.

Would they get it back, I understood that if its you that makes a mistake inputting the details the bank can only 'ask' the recipient to return the money but has no powers to insist.  Its one of the worries paying by Bacs.  I do the same as you make a payment of £1 first just to check.

I think you are correct. You are very dependent of the good will of the person involved. The bank cannot pay it back. I have no idea what your rights are in law, but even if you have any that could be expensive and take a long time.

Any payment made via this system is authorised by you and the banks won't refund. They may ask recipient to return, I would but others might not, and that's it. This is a problem with scams, no protection as you've authorised. I always transfer £1 first and await confirmation if receipt. It takes too long to earn to handover without thought I checked recently with three banks if they checked account number to account holder apparently not!! 

Which is why I still use cheques, it's too easy to make a mistake or for someone to make an error with their details. 

One thing I like to do if I pay by a credit transfer into someone's account, is to send a small test amount first and get them to confirm receipt. I did read about someone inputting an account number one digit wrong and managing to send several thousand to a wrong account, which then took some time to get back. At least by getting confirmation for five or ten pounds, I know I have input everything correctly on my phone, before I send several hundred.

Would they get it back, I understood that if its you that makes a mistake inputting the details the bank can only 'ask' the recipient to return the money but has no powers to insist.  Its one of the worries paying by Bacs.  I do the same as you make a payment of £1 first just to check.

I think you are correct. You are very dependent of the good will of the person involved. The bank cannot pay it back. I have no idea what your rights are in law, but even if you have any that could be expensive and take a long time.

Any payment made via this system is authorised by you and the banks won't refund. They may ask recipient to return, I would but others might not, and that's it. This is a problem with scams, no protection as you've authorised. I always transfer £1 first and await confirmation if receipt. It takes too long to earn to handover without thought I checked recently with three banks if they checked account number to account holder apparently not!! 

Write your comments here...They go by sort code and account number only.

Write your comments here...They go by sort code and account number only.

There really is the need for a unique identifier here, if they are not going to check against account names. If when you were paying someone they had to give you  a five or six digit code, as well as account number and sort code, there would be no chance of sending money to the wrong account. The five or six  digits would act the same as their name. Unless  all 3 numbers linked to a valid account, no payment would be made.

I'm not sure it's correct that they go by sort code and account number only is it? Certainly every time we've used the system our bank has insisted on a name for the account as well.

My bank asks for an account name too also a reference number. I very rarely use this form of payment but it is useful for certain transactions.

I'm not sure it's correct that they go by sort code and account number only is it? Certainly every time we've used the system our bank has insisted on a name for the account as well.

Write your comments here...You can put an account name but it's the numbers that are used for processing the payment.

Hi all

Sorry it's taken a while for an official response and I can see the discussion has taken a few different avenues but I'm here to clarify Surfer's original post. 

With all renewals, whether paid online, over the phone or by cheque if they are submitted prior to the renewal date the payment is authorised but not processed until on or around the 1st of the month as that is your contract start date with us. It is the same for all depending on your renewal month. Cheques are processed on or straight after 1st of the month also but often the handling times are slightly longer.

I hope this provides clarity on the situation and if you have other questions or queries, or would like to change your method of payment at any time, just call in, send us an email or use webchat and we can help right away.

Thanks

Helen

My bank asks for an account name too also a reference number. I very rarely use this form of payment but it is useful for certain transactions.

Just set up and paid a new payee - the name wouldnt all fit in the box so I hope its not essential.....

Cheques - the last two cheques we have written were a year apart and for the storage.  We used to pay by cash but the lady is a bit forgetful so we prefer a cheque now.

CC - we pay by credit card.  Better  would be a monthly DD but they dont offer this.