Because the rules governing SEPA Direct Debits are very consumer friendly, it might be somewhat risky for businesses to use this payment method. To keep fraud a

Because the rules governing SEPA Direct Debits are very consumer friendly, it might be somewhat risky for businesses to use this payment method. To keep fraud at check as a creditor, you have to do some due diligence like checking credit scores or know your customer very well. From the consumers perspective though, at least where I live, direct debit is regarded as a secure and convenient method for recurring payments. A consumer can revoke a fraudulent payment within 8 weeks. It's as easy as clicking a button in your online banking. If the counterparty can not prove that it was explicitly authorized by the consumer to make SEPA Direct Debits, the payment can be revoked for up to 13 months.